By Arun Kumar

Washington, Apr 23 (IANS): In what will be the widest ever release for any Indian Bollywood production, "Kites", the eagerly-anticipated romantic adventure starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori, will open simultaneously in India, the US, Canada and other countries on May 21.

The Rakesh Roshan production, directed by Anurag Basu, will be released by Reliance BIG Pictures (RBEL) on more than 2,000 screens simultaneously, including over 200 in the US, RBEL announced Thursday.

Shot completely on location in Las Vegas, Sante Fe and Los Angeles, "Kites" is a unique Bollywood film in a number of ways, not the least of which is the fact that a reworked English language version, designed to extend the reach of the original, will be launched in select engagements one week later.

Entitled "Kites: The Remix", it is being presented by Brett Ratner, who oversaw its creation. In the US, "Kites: The Remix" will be released in association with Mark Urman's Paladin, and will open in several major markets, including New York and Los Angeles, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend beginning May 28.

Produced on an epic scale, and set primarily against the lavish backdrop of Las Vegas, "Kites" tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who are destined to be together even though each is betrothed to another.

Reliance BIG Pictures CEO, Sanjeev Lamba, commented "'Kites' is a very important film for Reliance with a story that has international appeal. By releasing the original Hindi version and Brett Ratner's 'Remix' a week apart, we feel that we can reach the largest possible audience, including the younger demographic for whom 2+ hours is a challenge".

As of May 21, "Kites" will play at all traditional Indian film venues around the world, including Reliance's own newly-opened Big Cinema on E. 59th Street in Manhattan, New York.

However, the vast majority of the initial screens will be major-chain, mainstream commercial theatres, as well as specialty cinemas catering to foreign film-going audiences.