Let the truth be told now. After some dilly dallying that went on, the secret is finally out. Kangana Ranaut would basically be seen in a special appearance in Anurag Basu directed Kites which is being entirely sold as a Hrithik-Barbara starrer now.
"Let's not make a big deal about all of this,” says Anurag who has given almost three years of his personal and professional life into making Kites a reality, "When I first spoke to Kangana about Kites, she didn't even want to know what she was supposed to do in the film."
During last year and a half, while it was a known fact that Barbara Mori was the leading lady of Hrithik Roshan, it was widely believed that Kangana would have a substantial role to play in Kites, both from duration as well as content perspective. After all, this was her third film with Anurag Basu (after Gangster and Life In A Metro) and Kites would have been her big calling card, courtesy the prestigious banner of Roshans being attached to her name and most importantly, Hrithik Roshan as her co-star.
"There is no point whatsoever about Kangana being discontent with her presence in the film", says Basu, "She knew that her role was small but she still wanted to do it because of our love and friendship."
In fact, the makers are not even intending to hide Kangana's role in Kites as a special appearance. Even in the title rolls of the film, she would be billed as 'Special Appearance', hence putting all rumours to rest. In a way, this would only work positively for Kangana since from this point on, audience expectations from her would also be limited.
"Kangana is like my lucky mascot and I like her to be a part of my films. I feel that she adds something to my story telling when she is there. This is why I am glad that she is a part of Kites. Even though it is a special appearance, no one is complaining", smiles Anurag who was keeping quiet for last few months ever since insinuations were being made about Kangana being left out of the film's publicity and her being upset with the developments.
However, now Kangana can heave a sigh of relief since by no means is she holding the burden of this mammoth film which comes with huge stakes. If the film works, she benefits from it. And in case it doesn't quite end up meeting expectations, then she has nothing to loose as - in her friend and director Anurag Basu's own words - she did the film only for love and friendship.
