The director is also reportedly in negotiations with Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) and Twilight star Kirsten Stewart for important roles in the film. Hrithik Roshan’s Kites movie is now nearing release.

Hrithik Roshan’s wife Suzanne recently tweeted that her husband had been signed on for Paani. “H has signed Paani…” she wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Paani is reported to be a modern take on Romeo and Juliet.

Speaking about what led to Paani, Shekhar Kapur, who has won international acclaim for Bandit Queen, Elizabeth, Elizabeth: the Golden Age and New York, I Love You, said he was in a tony Mumbai neighborhood when he was struck by an irony – his friend showered for half an hour in his swanky apartment on the 30th floor while the slums just below his apartment building had no water.

The inequity in the distribution of the natural resource most necessary for human survival set the director thinking and led to the development of the story.

After romancing Barbara Mori in Kites (scheduled to release May 21), this will be Hrithik Roshan’s second film with a foreign actress.

Hrithik Roshan will play the part of a poor person living in the seedier parts of Mumbai sometime in the future. He will meet the wealthy Kirsten Stewart in the tony section of the megacity and they’ll fall in love.

Reports said Shekhar Kapur had his eyes on someone fair, delicate and pretty to play the new-age Juliet, and that Kirsten Stewart fit the bill perfectly.

Shekhar Kapur has been cautious about revealing casting details. He said he had been accused of talking about projects that never happen. But, he said, Paani is a film that I’m definitely making, and in 2010.

He dismissed reports that Kristin Stewart was already on board for Paani. He said he and the Twilight star had had just one conversation. “She still needs to read the script. People are jumping to conclusions,” Shekhar Kapur posted on his Twitter page.

A spokesperson for Kirsten Stewart has also denied the actress’ association with Paani.

Reprising her role of Bella Stewart, Kirsten Stewart will be seen with heart-throb Robert Pattinson in Eclipse, the third instalment of the Twilight series in June 2010.

This year, Shekhar Kapur is also teaming up Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts to direct a film on famed English explorer George Mallory. The director will helm Mallory, which will be produced by Julia Roberts’ Red Om Films and Kevin Townsend’s Science+Fiction.

George Mallory – remembered for having said “Because it’s there” when asked “Why do you want to climb Mt Everest? – embarked on the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest in the 1920s. On his third expedition, George Mallory disappeared with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine in 1924 when they were 800 feet from the summit before the clouds closed in.

Mallory, set in post-World War I England, chronicles Mallory’s attempts to scale Mount Everest and the toll the obsession for the mountain takes on his marriage.

No decisions on casting have been taken yet, but Shekhar Kapur said he is very excited to be working on this “fantastic story.”

During a recent trip to New Delhi, Hrithik Roshan said that he did not know much about the strategy and the marketing side of films. He added that he was still young in that space and needed to learn the ropes from “my seniors and people who have inspired me like Shah Rukh and Aamir”.

Directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Rakesh Roshan, Kites is scheduled to hit screens on May 21. The film, which also stars Mexican actress Barbara Mori (Barbara Mori in Kites: photos) and Kangana Ranaut, is about the journey of two lovers – an Indian dance teacher and a Latin woman who don’t understand each other’s language, and will be released in both Hindi and English.

Promotion is under way, and Barbara Mori is expected to be in India in May to join the team.

One of the tools being used to promote the film is Hrithik Roshan’s debut as a singer with Kites in the Sky.

The actor is still not convinced he’s very good at the promotion bit. He said he does not have that talent and he’s still learning.

Marketing it right

When it comes to marketing, Aamir Khan knows what it takes:

3 Idiots. The bumchum chairs at multiplexes across the country; an alternate reality game conceived Zapak that had Aamir travel across India and pop up in different disguises in places such as Varanasi, Palanpur or even Saurav Ganguly’s house in Kolkata; 3 Idiots stickers on autorickshaws; a tieup with Reliance Life Insurance to communicate the message of the film — all is well; the spat between producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and author Chetan Bhagat; and a really feel-good film. How could 3 Idiots not be a blockbuster?

Ghajini. For this, Aamir Khan used a hairstyle as a marketing tool. First he got the ushers for his film to sport the Ghajini haircut. Then, he got ushers for Shah Rukh Khan’s film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to also sport the look. Life-size cutouts of Aamir’s Ghajini look (remember that six-pack?) at theatres screening Shah Rukh’s film also worked wonders.

Jane Tu Ya Jaane Na. For the launch pad for his nephew Imran, Aamir Khan came out of seclusion and embarked on a media blitzkrieg. Imran and his costar, Genelia, were everywhere – on TV, in newspapers, in magazines – and, surprise, so was Mamu Jaan! Jane Tu… was also opened on fewer screens. The film, with Rahman chartbusters and fresh stars, had to be a hit.?

Guess who’s wielding the microphone now? Hrithik Roshan! Reliance Big Pictures and Rakesh Roshan’s Kites, Hrithik’s next big film, marks the debut of the actor on the silver screen. Reliance Big Pictures is launching the music of the film on national television and airing the song, Kites in the Sky, along with some behind-the-scenes footage on March 29 at 9.30 p.m. on 40 television channels.

Poster of Kites, starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori

Video footage of Hrithik Roshan recording the song Kites in the Sky is available on the Facebook fan page for the movie. Update: Video of Hrithik singing Kites in the Sky is now available on Youtube – We have embedded it for you below.

A nervous Hrithik, who has hit films like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Koi… Mil Gaya, Krish, Dhoom 2 and Jodha Akbar in his kitty, said he sang the song because he did not want to lip sync. “I am embarrassed and nervous,” he tweeted. “I want your feedback and once you have heard the CD b brutal [in your comments].”

Kites, which also stars Mexican actress Barbara Mori and Kangana Ranaut, is about the journey of two lovers and will be released in both Hindi and English. It is scheduled to hit screens on May 21. Promotion is under way, and Barbara Mori is expected to be in India in May to join the team for pre-release publicity of the movie. Kites was in the news in early 2009, when gossip arose that the actor was getting a little too interested in Barbara Mori – an allegation that Hrithik stoutly denied.

Kites movie official trailer

The music of Kites is by Rajesh Roshan and lyrics are by Nasir Faraaz. The music (released on T-Series) will be available in stores from March 29 onwards. It is also available on SD and USB cards and for download in a digital format (as a single song or entire album).

Hrithik Roshan said: “I was nervous to make my debut as a singer, considering I come from a family that is well known in the world of music, but for this very reason my chacha [Rajesh Roshan] and director Anurag Basu were most certain that I could sing. I have given this song my best and honest shot, but I still don’t consider myself a professional singer.”

Director Anurag Basu said, “I first noticed Hrithik’s singing talent when we were casually jamming one evening after dinner. After that when I told him to sing for Kites, he wasn’t too sure initially but he agreed to give it a try. He is a natural singer and has the talent in his genes; I only did my job by tapping it. Hrithik has a good career ahead as a singer.”

How did rehearsals go? Hrithik says he rehearsed all the time – while brushing his teeth and when in the shower!

“Early morning, I would start with my sa re ga ma… right from the time I would wake up to brushing my teeth to taking the shower, all the time I sang with hand movements trying to reach the highest scale and the lowest note,” Hrithik said.

“I have given this song my best and honest shot but I still don’t consider myself a professional singer,” the 36-year-old said.

The actor also revealed that his recording experience was different from what he expected. “I had fallen in love with the art of shutting your eyes from the world and going in meditative state where you just sing. But when I went to the studio, it was a totally different story.

Photo: Barbara Mori, Hrithik Roshan's co-star in Kites

“They put you in this little compartment and you are not allowed to move because the mike is fixed. While practicing I had been so mobile. And now I was locked up in one place where I couldn’t even move my legs because the breath shifts in different direction,” Hrithik said.

“Finally, I told them to just switch off all the lights. This blackout worked and helped me get rid of my inhibitions. That’s how I finally worked,” he added.

What does his wife Suzanne say about his new skill?

“She is completely biased. She feels I am the best singer in the world. She compares me to Elvis Presley,” Hrithik said.

For all of you who are anxiously waiting for the release of Kites, here is an additional video clip for you.

Wedding photo of Suzanne and Hrithik Roshan

The report, which is most likely to be just one big fat, juicy rumor, says that Suzanne Roshan walked out on Hrithik Roshan and moved back into her parent’s house, with her two kids.

Reports say that one of the most devoted couples in the Hindi film industry has broken up because of Hrithik Roshan’s alleged affair with Barbara Mori. Update: Hrithik Roshan singing Kites in the Sky

The rumors of the Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori affair have been doing the rounds ever since the two have been shooting for Kites, Hrithik’s next movie. Kites, directed by Anurag Basu (Life in a Metro, Murder), will be released in two languages, Hindi and English.

Barbara Mori: International model and actress

Hrithik and the rest of the Roshan family are saying that there is no question of a split. They say that Suzanne Roshan has moved out of the house because a floor of the house is being renovated.

Hrithik Roshan’s sister, Sunaina Roshan, has been quoted as saying that Hrithik and Suzanne have no problems. She said that Suzanne had to move to her parent’s place because the ceiling of their house was being treated for termites.

Hrithik Roshan, who returned from South Africa, on April 6, 2009, is said to have gone straight to meet Suzanne and the kids, at her parent’s place, which truth to tell is very normal behavior. If you have been away for a bit, why wouldn’t you want to meet your wife and kids right away?

When reporters caught up with Hrithik, he said that he was at that very moment picnicking with Suzanne Roshan and the kids.

Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan, are said to have one of the most stable and loving relationships in the industry. It has always been obvious that they are very much in love with each other, so, I for one, will take the rumor with a big pinch of salt.

Kites, which will be released on October 16, 2009, has been produced by Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan’s father.

Hrithik is said to play a Salsa teacher in the movie who falls in love with a Spanish girl, he can’t communicate with, because he speaks no Spanish and she speaks nothing but Spanish.

Kangana Ranaut plays a Salsa student hopelessly in love with Hrithik.

Photo: Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jodhaa Akbar

No details were available about the movie so far, though Sanjay Leela Bhansali had announced the movie quite a long time back.

Now we know something more about the movie. Its name.

And yes, another bit of detail that is being bandied about: Resul Pookutty will do the sound mixing.

I think one will have to wait for another few months to be handed another teeny-weeny detail about Guzarish, like, maybe, the name of one other member of the cast, apart from Hrithik and Aishwarya.

We live in hope.

Whatever the story line of Guzarish be, the movie should be decent. One, because Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a pretty good director and, two, the on-screen chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai is pure dynamite.

I can’t think of any other screen couple in recent Hindi film history that has set the screen afire in the way these two do. The only names that comes to mind are Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. They just had to look at each other to make the air sizzle.

Apparently, Guzarish is in pre-production and will be released in 2010.

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were last seen in Ashutosh Gowariker’s epic movie Jodhaa Akbar. The movie was more of a historical romance, with Hrithik playing Mughal emperor Akbar and Aishwarya his Hindu wife, Jodhaa.

The movie was a blockbuster, despite a slow start, and swept all the main awards at nearly all award functions, in 2008.

It won the Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Director award at both the Filmfare and Star Screen awards.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is also working on Chenab Gandhi, starring Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham and Vidya Balan. The movie chronicles the life and struggles of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, also known as Frontier Gandhi.

Chenab Gandhi will go into production in May 2009.

Update: Hrithik Roshan sings for Kites movie

Photo: Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in Jodhaa Akbar

Zayed Khan will play Lakshman and Amitabh Bachchan will play Dashrath.

The Legend of Rama will be produced and directed by Sanjay Khan, who is Hrithik Roshan’s father-in-law and Zayed Khan’s father.

The Legend of Rama will be written by Sanjay Khan along with Farrukh Dhondy. Update: Hrithik Roshan sings for Kites movie

Farrukh Dhondy has been quoted as saying that The Legend of Rama will be a modernized version of the Ramayana, and that it will be the Ramayana in The Lord Of The Rings genre. He also added that the screenplay has the motion, motivation and movement of a Shakespearean play.

I don’t know if you have understand what that means, because I certainly haven’t.

Knowing Sanjay Khan’s penchant for laborious work (Abdullah, The Sword of Tipu Sultan TV series), I expect The Legend of Rama to be a pedestrian retelling of the story, that will trundle along in a beleaguered manner. The characters will be flat and unidimensional. Rama will be a goody-two-shoes, Lakshman even more so, and Sita’s bharatiya nari cloying martyrdom will make you gag.

Which is sad on two counts. One, that it will not explore the dark side of Rama, his doubts and insecurity; ditto for Lakshman. It will not probe Sita’s strength of mind.

Two, The Legend of Rama will be a waste of fine actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan, as also the chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai as seen in Jodha Akbar and before that, Dhoom 2.

And what is with Zayed Khan playing Lakshman, or variations of Lakshman, in every second movie? In Main Hoon Na, his character is based on the Lakshmanesque loyal younger brother thing. He is even called Lakshman in the movie, for God’s sake. Then again, he plays the youngest brother in Yuvraaj, a story of three brothers.

Casting hasn’t been announced for Ravan’s character though. I won’t waste your time asking you who do you think should be cast as Ravan. I am sure they will predictably cast Boman Irani as Ravan, who will ham his way through the movie.

I wish someone would take the Mahabharata and the Ramayan and do something good with it. If nothing else, they could pick up Ashok Banker’s Ramayan. At least the characters have depth and the sci-fi take is very interesting.

Photo: Barbara Mori to star in Kites

The controversy around the kissing scene between Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori during Kites movie shoot has barely subsided, when the next controversy has cropped up. Apparently Papa Roshan, who was none to happy over the Hrithik Roshan – Barbara Mori kiss scene, is even more discomfited over the highly steamy Hrithik – Barbara Mori scenes in Kites.

Rumor has it that the Hrithik Roshan – Barbara Mori sex scenes were so hot, that papa Roshan was asked to leave the sets by Kites director Anurag Basu. Basu felt that Hrithik would be very uncomfortable performing his sex scenes with Barbara Mori, if his father were around.

Photo: Barbara Mori, International model and actress

Apart from that, Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori are said to get on very well off-screen as well, which has panicked Papa Roshan even more. He is said to have flown down Hrithik’s wife and kids to Las Vegas, where Kites is being shot, to stem any budding relationship between Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori.

Kites which was scheduled to be complete in September 2008, got delayed due to sandstorms in New Mexico where Kites was being shot. Kites will now be completed by mid-October, 2008. Kites stars Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, and Kangana Ranaut in pivotal roles.

Barbara Mori

Mexican beauty Barbara Mori is a telenovela actress with TV Azteca. Barbara Mori is of mixed heritage. Barbara Mori’s father, Yuyi Mori, is of Japanese ancestry while her mother, Rosario Ochoa, is Mexican.

Barbara Mori has acted in many telenovelas, notably Mirada de mujer: El regreso for which she won the TVyNovelas Award. Barbara Mori has also acted in films like Inspiracion, Robots, La mujer de mi hermano, and Pretendiendo. Barbara Mori’s latest release was the 2008 flick Violanchelo. Barbara Mori is also a well-known international model.

Photo: Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan is one of the biggest superstars in Bollywood. Hrithik Roshan, who has acted in many blockbuster hits in India, is the poster child of faithfulness in an industry rampant with extra-marital affairs. Hrithik Roshan married to his teenage love, Suzanne Roshan, is reputed to have a very clean personal life.

Hrithik Roshan with Barbara Mori in Kites

Perhaps, that is why the Hrithik – Barbara Mori hot scenes has fueled speculation about the alleged liaison between hunky Hrithik and the equally bodylicious Barbara Mori.

Kites has been directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Rakesh Roshan. Anurag Basu has directed movies like Gangster, Life in a Metro, and Murder, all of which have been hits and appreciated by critics as well as audiences.

Kites is a dance-based bilingual movie (English and Hindi). Hrithik is a lovable (?) con artist who has two women on a string, Barbara Mori and Kangana Ranaut. Barbara Mori plays a salsa teacher, while Kangana plays the role of a siren.

Rakesh Roshan has directed most of the movies he has produced. His bumper hits like Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Krissh 1 and 2, have starred son Hrithik Roshan. This is the second time Rakesh Roshan has handed over he directorial reins to another. The last time he did so, was the 2008 release Krazzy 4, which tanked at the box office and landed him into a legal tangle.

Kites will hit the movie screens in 2009.