Barbara's great: Hrithik

Yes, we know what you’re thinking. The Bollywood hunk has been romantically linked with his firang co-star from Kites much to the discomfort of wife Sussanne.

So, what are the two upto doing the waltz down Cannes’ red carpet in full glare of the world media?

Hrithik, who has denied any kind of immoral relationship with the sexy Latino actress, has learned to deal with the allegation that spread like wildfire in Bollywood. Talking to BT from Cannes, he said, “I wouldn’t give any attention to the rumour. It doesn’t matter as long as it is something to do with my film. Barbara is a great girl, a great co-star and friend. And I am very proud of my film. If tongues wag, I can’t help it. It doesn’t matter what people say.”

That’s that, but strangely, Hrithik and Barbara are not making this appearance at Cannes to promote Kites, despite the English version of this film being officially unveiled there.

Instead, they’re doing this for a Hollywood film titled Bright Star by antipodean director Jane Campion that’s in contention for the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the festival. Hrithik is a great fan of Campion. The film is a love story based on the last years of the English port John Keats. Of the English version of Kites, he said, “We haven’t made any changes, there are the usual song and dances, but done in international style.”

He visited Cannes first when he was 21 with his filmmaker grandfather J Om Prakash. “I was working as his assistant then. And I remember standing by the red carpet and watching the beautiful and glamorous world of showbiz walking down, little knowing that destiny would put me on the same spot,” he said. The actor has a busy three days watching films, meeting Hollywood producers and global distributors for Kites. His international look in the film is a hot topic at Cannes. So is Hrithik ready for Hollywood? “I will go wherever my work is appreciated and takes me. An actor always looks for a wider audience,” he replied. A teaser of Kites is being shown on two digital screens beside the red carpet. This privilege, normally reserved for big budget Hollywood films, is a first for Bollywood.