<i>Krrish</i> clears all stops

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

New Delhi (UNI): After Aamir Khan-starrer Fanaa, it is now the turn of the Rakesh Roshan camp to weave magic at the turnstile which is bringing for viewers its latest sci-fi enterprise Krrish, the sequel to Koi Mil Gaya, which stars Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles. The film, produced at a cost of Rs 50 crore, is one of the most expensive ventures in the history of Indian cinema and is packed with some breathtaking action sequences and astonishing special effects.

A blend of Western technology and an Eastern medley of music, dance, and emotions, Krrish has been given a U certificate and it will open in theatres worldwide on June 23, according to Censor Board of Film Certification sources. Priyanka is essaying the role of a television reporter and according to the film's producer and director Rakesh Roshan the day he saw Priyanka in Yash Johar's funeral procession, he decided to cast her in Krrish. He said the title character played by Hrithik Roshan in the film is not like that of Spiderman, Superman or Batman but he is an ordinary boy who has been endowed with some super powers.

A few weeks ago, the sources were apprehending a tussle between the film and the Censor Board because in some parts of the flick some animals have been used and then it was being believed that Indian Animal Welfare Board would object to the usage of animals during the shooting of the film and might create barriers in its release. The sources said Rakesh Roshan specifically wanted to show some footages in the film featuring animals, but he knew doing so would invite trouble in India so he went to Singapore and canned most of the fare there because the Animal Board there gives permission to shoot scenes involving animals. But because Rakesh Roshan shot some of the scenes of the film in Uttaranchal and for which he did not seek permission from the state government, the Censor Board could have taken a tough stance regarding that. Some parts of the film were shot in Kullu Manali also. But now as the Censor Board has awarded a U certificate to the film and allowed its release all over the country, the Roshan camp has heaved a sigh of relief and awaiting its release with bated breath. Krrish also stars Rekha, Preity Zinta in a cameo role, Naseerudin Shah, Sharat Saxena, Puneet Issar, Hemant Pandey, Manini De, Kiran Juneja and Archana Puran Singh. The film has music by Rajesh Roshan.

If Koi...Mil Gaya introduced sci-fi to Indian audiences, breaking box-office records everywhere and winning many awards, including the National award, then, according to the director, Krrish goes on to explore new cinematic territory with spectacular special effects and stunning action sequences never before seen in Indian cinema. Special effects were done in Los Angeles by Marc Kolbe and Craig Mumma, who also did them for Koi...Mil Gaya. The duo is popularly known for their special effects work in Hollywood films like Independence Day, Godzilla, Deep Blue Sea, and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

More than 800 prints of the film, which will also be released simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, will be released. This would be the first Hindi movie to be released in two other Indian languages. Earlier, Roshan's 1995 film Karan Arjun was released in south Indian languages, but not simultaneously. Koi...Mil Gaya bears a remarkable resemblance to Hollywood's Academy Award-winning, 'E.T.' Will Krrish also resemble Hollywood superhero movies like Superman and Spiderman? No, director Rakesh Roshan has rubbished rumors to the effect that Krrish is similar to Hollywood superhero movies, saying the film has its own distinct identity. It's been claimed and believed that sequels don't do well in India but Rakesh Roshan stands against that. According to him, any well-made film will succeed irrespective of its being a sequel.