Not flying colours... Kites Movie Review.

I know I'm late and by this time, you have either seen the movie or have made up your mind not to watch it. Also, by now trade pundits are calculating & re-calculating BO figures to put together a verdict. But in some parts of the globe, unfazed fans of Hrithik Roshan are queuing up for repeat viewing of the movie. Jr. Roshan, bleeding, distraught, sandy, yet managing to look drool-worthy yummylicious is the stuff we fans live for. As much as I (too!) was tempted, the movie aficionado in me wanted more.

2.5 yrs in the making, big names, big budget, bigger hype and colossal expectations. Regrettably, Kites just doesn't go that high, although this Anurag Basu's directorial extravaganza had all the potential. So why didn't it make the cut? Read further...

Plot: Though there isn't much to write here - Our hero J (Joseph? jimmy? johnny?), who marries girls to get them a green card in barter for hard cash, is engaged to Gina(Kangana), daughter of rich casino owner, Bob(Kabir Bedi). Gina's brother Tony(Nick Brown) is engaged to Natasha/Linda(Mori). Cut to few scenes & a dance routine later, J and Natasha meet, sparks fly, passionate glances stolen à la Romeo-Juliet, and bam! we have a love square formed. Anyone who has seen Woody Allen's 'Match Point' will catch up with me faster. Others, don't fret, you haven't missed anything majorly. OK, back to our movie - J and Linda cant keep their eyes off each other, want to stay together forever and decide to elope. Predictable Bolly movie you ask? Uh-huh! Twist - they don't speak each others language Spanish/English. Twist to the twisted tale = J and Linda are sort-of already married (remember J's green card wives!). Anyhoo, J and Linda ditch their fiances (they were marrying the rich kids for the money anyways, no luv-shuv), grab the money and head for greener pastures. While the villains pull all chains to track them, our international Bunty-Babli gasp, chuckle, jump off hot air balloons, dive into seas, rob a bank, indulge in car chases as if taking on an adventurous sport, sing-dance, take language lessons, and give their trackers the royal slip. Amidst all the mayhem that follows, they sneak in and out of jungle, share a kiss or two, much at the expense of the audience.Tony finally catches up with them. What happens next? It's for me to know and you to find out.

Kites is an earnestly made film. It had everything going for it. Luscious pairing, captivating visuals, stimulating cinematography and some very interesting scenes make up a strong base. But then everything falls apart. When Hrithik says "Pakao, Pakao", you are coaxed to believe that he almost knows what he is talking about. 

Barbara and Hrithik are in my opinion the most alluring pairing till date. They compliment each other and Rakesh Roshan's choice in Mori is justified. Barbara's endearing smile matches Hrithik's intensity and in all means the lead pair try to make Kites fly. But the writers forgot that with all the chemistry and perfect scenes, there was a story to be taken forward. Kangana, every director's dream girl for psychotic character, is misused. She came and went just like that and no-one seemed upset. Kabir Bedi plays his role with the 'been-there-done-that' sophistication. Nick Brown is so-so, knows what he's doing.

Kites is a clear case of 'too many cooks spoil the dish'. With the track records that Basu and Roshan's have, you pray for something rather extraordinary but you have to settle for something much much less. In continuation to my earlier post (read here), the movie is as confused as I am about what it wants to be. Fingers crossed, you hope that something jumps out and rationalizes your time's worth, but hardly a scene stays with you. (yeah mayb Hrithik's glances for some of you!) All in all, Kites is a watch in comparison to the movies released off late. Go for it once, since its got a piece of something for everyone. Kaipoche! anyone??