Sensuality in 'Kites' not meant to titillate

Jun 6, 2009 Radhika Bhirani

New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) Actor-turned filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, who openly admits that he would love to work with his superstar son Hrithik in every film of his, says their latest offering "Kites" may have made news for its sensuous scenes, but the sensuality is "not meant to titillate".

"The sensuality is not worked into the film to unnecessarily titillate or cater to any specific audiences. 'Kites' is a love story, so the sensuality depicted in the film goes well with it. I'm not catering to any particular audience. I'm making a universal film for a global audience of all age groups," Rakesh Roshan told IANS in interview.

Roshan senior added that rumours of an affair between Hrithik and Mexican actress Barbara Mori during the making of the film did not bother him as he knew they were completely "baseless".

He said Anurag Basu was roped in to direct "Kites", a joint venture between FilmKraft and BIG Pictures, because they shared similar "sensibilities and vision".

The filmmaker has teamed up with his son many times since Hrithik's debut "Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai" in 2000 and admits that he would love to have him in all his films.

"I will always try to have him in all my future projects because he is a complete actor. If you give him any kind of role, he will rise to the challenge and shoulder the responsibility to the T," Roshan said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Your films have been far from the sort of sensuality shown in "Kites". Is it an attempt to appeal to a global audience?

The sensuality is not worked into the film to unnecessarily titillate or cater to any specific audiences. 'Kites' is a love story, so the sensuality depicted in the film goes well with it. I'm not catering to any particular audience. I'm making a universal film for a global audience of all age groups.

Considering the controversial kissing scene between Hrithik and Barbara Mori in the film, do you think the censor board is likely to snip any scenes?

In my opinion the censor board should not have any objection because the scenes are well integrated into the screenplay with conviction, purity and honesty.

How disturbed were you with rumours that Barbara had caused a rift between Hrithik and Suzanne?

Since the rumours were completely baseless they didn't bother me at all.

Does 'Kites' have an underlying message about the universality of the language of love?

'Kites' is not a preachy film, but, yes, it has a message ... that love is a universal language; it crosses all boundaries and is not bound by any constraints.

What was the premise behind selecting Anurag Basu to helm the film?

As I have produced and directed many films I could see immediately that 'Kites' as a film needed a very seasoned and dedicated producer because of the sheer scale of the film. It was then that I decided to take on another director and as I have liked Anurag's work in the past and could see that he and I shared similar sensibilities and vision, I signed him for 'Kites'.

Most of your projects after "Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai" have had Hrithik. Do you think your son is your lucky mascot and vice versa?

My earlier films made without Hrithik were also big hits. I'm glad that since Hrithik has joined me, we have continued with the FilmKraft tradition of delivering well-made hit films.

Do you feel your films would no longer be complete without Hrithik? Would you have him in every future project of yours?

Yes for sure. I will always try to have him in all my future projects because he is a complete actor. If you give him any kind of role, he will rise to the challenge and shoulder the responsibility to the T.

Your next project is "Krrish 2" - have you decided the lead opposite Hrithik?

'Kites' needed single-minded dedication from me as a producer; so I can start thinking of my other projects only after the release of 'Kites'. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Kites