Barbara Mori - FLYING HIGH

'I'm disappointed'

BARBARA MORI RETURNS HOME AFTER FLYING HIGH IN INDIA....

      Barbara Mori is leaving our shores a disappointed woman. The sexy latino actress, back in India for the second time in a month and  probably the last time now, feels let down on two counts. One, of course, is the unfavourable public response to her much-awaited film with Hrithik Roshan this weekend; and, the second, is that her dream of visiting the Taj Mahal remains unfulfilled.

        Hours after the negative feedback for Kites began rolling in, Barbara pretended to be oblivious of what critics and audiences had to say. She also appeared unaware that the screening of the film had been stopped in Bangalore. For when we asked her where she was going as part of the promotional tour, Barbara mentioned Bangalore along with Delhi and Kolkata.

       Friday afternoon, the actress spent visiting multiplexes and theatres across Mumbai to interact with fans. But while the fall in the excetement level was palpable (Kites was one of the most hyped films of all time in Bollywood), Barbara said unconcernedly, 'I'm really excited, i'm waiting for the Indian people's response. The premiere in New York and London was amazing. There were hordes of Indians screaming for Hrithik and me. Let's see how people here love it."

       The 'people here' haven't loved the film too much. And when informed tht the response to it has been sluggish and at best mixed, Barbara's feisty Latin blood boiled in heated defence. "It's a little different from Bolywood films. Kites has got a lot of Hollywood mixed with Mexican culture, packaged in Bollywood. It's a different experience," she argued.

       True, but then the language in the film is an uncomfortable challenge for audiences. It's 90 per cent in Spanish and English, with subtitles in Hindi, and Indian audiences aren't used to reading subtitles. Somewhat angrily now, Barbara replied, "The problem IS what the film is about Kites is about two people who cannot understand each other,. She's from Mexico and doesn't speak English. He's from India and he doesn't speak Spanish. And they fall in love.My brother thinks it is my best film to date. Friends in New York enjoyedit too." 
       Maybe, but Indian audiences are reportedly dissatisfied with Rakesh Roshan's product. And Barbara now heads for Venezuela to star in her next film. "And then, I'm back home in Mexico to produce a play which I'll be acting in. I really like being on stage," the actress said.
       As for the Taj Mahal, she's hoping to be back in India afor another film next year "and then I'll see the Taj Mahal". But just why the Roshans who played host and dost to her couldn't arrange a trip for their Mexican guest to the monument of love is beyond comprehension.