Not since Mel Gibson cast James Caviezel as Jesus in his 2004 film The Passion of The Christ, has there been any comparison between an actor and the Lord.But now several Latin American distributors, who saw the international version of Rakesh Roshan’s Kites, are stunned by Hrithik’s resemblance to Jesus Christ in the film.
It’s been two weeks since the Bollywood film was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, but the buzz around it still continues at the French Riviera. And, another thing, if the Mexican actress Barbara Mori has taken Bollywood by storm, Hrithik has done the same thing in Latin America. Foreign distributors were reportedly taken up by the searing intensity in his eyes, his lithe frame and Adonis-like tan. Some of them were heard commenting that Hrithik would be the ideal actor to play Christ in a western production.
Rakesh Roshan, who was present at Cannes, admits there was huge excitement among the foreign distributors who saw his international trailer. “A lot of people did mention that Hrithik’s looks are suited for the western market. But I didn’t catch the comment on him bearing a resemblance to Christ,’’ Rakesh said. “It was not possible for me to keep track of everything said and heard.’’
Meanwhile, B-Town buzz has it that the company taking care of Hrithik’s business interests is in Hollywood hooking up with an internationally renowned casting agency that will source out scripts for the Bollywood hottie. Will Hrithik give in to temptation and fly westwards? Guess he will if Kites rises to dizzying heights.