The director is somewhat taken aback by the undue importance being given to the Hrithik-Barbara friendship.

"But I don't think 'Kites' will suffer. All this hype will die down by the time the film will release around Diwali. As the time of release approaches, the focus will shift to the film. I'm not getting impatient about my name not getting mentioned. When people will see the film, the focus will shift."

Basu is aiming high with "Kites" - he wants to make a mark on the global arena with the film.

"'Murder', 'Gangster' and 'Life In A Metro' were so carefully budgeted it would've made money. 'Kites' is another ball game. So far, when I go abroad, I am told Bollywood means Shekhar Kapoor, Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta. I'd like 'Kites' to change that," he said.

Asked why his protegee Kangana Ranaut has been sidelined from the marketing of "Kites", he said: "Kangana too has expressed displeasure about it. But see at the moment we want to project 'Kites' as Barbara and Hrithik's love story. Kangana's portion will come in later. Let's get one thing clear - Kangana is not the main lead in 'Kites'. She was keen to be part of the film. I wasn't that keen because her part was not that pivotal in 'Kites'."

After making "Kites" for Rakesh Roshan's banner Filmkraft Productions, Basu is committed to make his next film for UTV.

"I need to get to that immediately. I'm buying time from them," he said.