Kites

I have never heard of two versions of the same movie playing at the same time. Kites opened a few weeks ago. Recently Kites:The Remix opened at a different theatre. It is the same film minus 50 minutes. I saw the original 2 hour 20 minute version. This film is also different from other Bollywood films. The story takes place in Las Vegas and Mexico. Most Bollywood films feature exotic costumes and lots of singing and dancing in the midst of dramatic action. Usually they take place in India.

Kites doesn’t have any of the big dance numbers usual in a Bollywood film. Some music is part of the story. It is a wild ride and I loved every minute. I even surprised myself because fast paced action with overturned cars, shooting and violence isn’t my ‘cup of tea.’

The two main stars were so gorgeous I would have been satisfied just watching them. and nothing more. I have never seen such clear haunting eyes as the magnificent Hrithik Roshan. He has a body that is also picture perfect. What a hunk!

J (Hrithik Roshan) is a Hindi petty fraudster. He marries illegal woman and charges them a lot of money.

It doesn’t make sense but he meets the lovely Gina. They enter a dance contest. That was really worth watching. What is ridiculous is that Gina is the daughter of a very wealthy Las Vegas mobster. He owns an enormous gambling casino. He and his goons torture and kill at will. Nobody can put anything over on them. Gina’s father takes to J and gives him money, a car and sanctions his relationship with his daughter.

Gina’s brother, Tony, is engaged and J is invited to the party. The family home is a castle beyond description and the interior has more gold than the any bank vault.

J begins to make eyes for Natasha, Joe’s fiancée. It turns out that J and Natasha were actually married.

Don’t question the reality of all this nonsense. I was so intrigued with the beautiful people and the splendor of their living.

It gets very exciting when J and Natasha take off. She chooses love over money. It is quite a ride. There are cop chases and overturned cars. People die. J and Natasha jump from a fast moving car onto a fast moving train. They rob banks and steal cars.

Tony is always behind them in a chase wanting his Natasha back.

To add to the complications Natasha is an illegal Mexican immigrant. She speaks Spanish. J speaks Hindi and English.

The filming is splendid. I loved the shots of the Mexican country. It was such a contrast to the Las Vegas splendor.

The action goes on forever. The ending is as melodramatic as the rest of the film. I don’t think this film is for everyone. I guess I was in the right mood. I had such a good time and didn’t even see the edited version. I do admit that if you plan to see Kites the edited version is the better idea.