'Krrish' stunts not for amateurs: Rakesh Roshan

Mumbai, July 2 (IANS) Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is worried over news of a teenager leaping from a balcony to imitate Hrithik Roshan's flying stunts in "Krrish", saying the "make-believe leaps in the air" are "certainly not to be imitated".

"I know kids all over the country have responded with unexpected enthusiasm to Hrithik's action scenes. But they must understand those are make-believe leaps in the air, certainly not to be imitated," Roshan told IANS.

The teenager from Madhya Pradesh had broken his limbs after the jump last week.

Roshan also shrugs off any jitters at his film being sandwiched between Hollywood biggies.

"In India, my film competes with the dubbed Hindi versions of 'MI3' and 'Superman Returns'. In the west, 'Krrish' competes with those Hollywood biggies in English," Roshan said.

"I can only say 'Krrish' has raised the bar for special effects in Indian films. Whatever is attempted now in this country has to be as good as the effects in 'Krrish'. Even I'll have to live up to the standards I've set in 'Krrish'.

"We've released our film along side the other mainstream American films in Britain and the US. 'Krrish' isn't going to be in NRI-frequented theatres only, but also in mainstream theatres where Hollywood films are released," he said.

But Roshan has not dubbed his film for English-speaking audiences abroad.

"I think it looks silly to hear Indian characters like a grandmother in a village or a domesticated bhabhi (sister-in-law) speaking English in a strange accent. I think it's wrong of us to dub Indian films into English.

"When Ang Lee released 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' in the West, he kept the original Chinese and put English subtitles. I'm doing the same in 'Krrish'," the fimmaker added.

"It's not a dialogue-oriented film in the first place. We haven't fallen short of any of the biggies. Plus, we've a great emotional plot. The world is changing, and so is cinema," said Roshan.

"For the first time I've targeted my film at the non-conventional non-NRI audience. In Singapore, we've booked all the prominent mainstream theatres. In Britain and the US, we've tied up with mainstream distributors who've booked the same theatres where 'MI3' and 'Superman Returns' get screened," the filmmaker said.

Rakesh Roshan is more amused than amazed by the makers of "Alag" who claim the Roshans' are upset about "Alag" making it into theatres a week in advance of "Krrish".

"Why should I be upset' It's not as if we've both remade the same film. I've no idea what their film was about. Even if it was about a super-hero, there're so many kinds of super-heroes. And as I've said 'Krrish' isn't about a super-hero but the awakening of a super-hero," emphasised Roshan.

He glows when he talks about his cast.

"I don't indulge in any politics with any member of my cast. Although Hrithik is my son, I'm equally sincere with every actor. I don't waste anyone's time. I respect Rekha a lot, and I can't forget that moment when she agreed to co-star with me in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Khubsoorat' when I was down and out," recalled the filmmaker.

"For an actress as fine and glamorous a Rekha to play a grandmother in 'Krrish' only proves her versatility. It doesn't mean she'll now be slotted as a grandmother. Rekha is too glamorous for that," he said.

"Heads turn at any function she attends. As for Priyanka Chopra, she's fantastic in 'Krrish'. I was a bit nervous about her on the first day. Everyone questioned me about signing her. They said she was doing negative and seductive roles. But Priyanka plays the simple girl in 'Krrish' so beautifully," said Roshan.

What about Hrithik Roshan'

"He's a brilliant actor and I'm not the least nervous about him," says the proud father. "I'm sure when they see him in the West they'll realise here's an actor who can match Hollywood actors and had the potential to cross over."

"One thing is for sure, audiences have definitely appreciated my honesty and sincerity. I've lifted the standards of our cinema to international standards. I wanted to show the world that we in India could make a film comparable with theirs," claimed the filmmaker.

"Now the rest is up to god."

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Krrish