Anurag Kashyap Clarifies Vijay Sethupathi, Javed Akhtar Credits in ‘Kennedy’

After much anticipation, Anurag Kashyap’s film Kennedy, featuring actors Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, was released on February 20, 2023, via Zee5. The film premiered at the prestigious 2023 Cannes Film Festival and was subsequently showcased at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. The screening received an enthusiastic response from an audience of over a thousand attendees.

Special Thanks Credits Explained

In previous discussions, Kashyap had indicated that actor Vijay Sethupathi would be acknowledged under the ‘Special Thanks’ category in Kennedy but had not revealed the specific reasons. In an exclusive conversation, Kashyap confirmed Sethupathi’s inclusion and also noted that renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar was credited in the same manner. He explained that Sethupathi contributed some editing suggestions for the film. Regarding Akhtar, Kashyap mentioned that an earlier version of the film included a dialogue from Akhtar that was ultimately removed in the final edit.

Collaborative Efforts in Future Projects

At a recent event organized by The Hindu in May 2025, Anurag Kashyap shared anecdotes about his discussions with Vijay Sethupathi related to his role in the Tamil film Maharaja, set for release in 2024. He indicated that after he had declined numerous offers for South Indian films, which started following the production of Kennedy, it was Sethupathi who persuaded him to reconsider. Kashyap remarked that the actor approached him about the compelling narrative of Maharaja, emphasizing the efforts made by the film’s producers to reach out to him.

Kashyap initially turned down the offer, citing personal commitments including the wedding of his daughter. However, after discussions with Sethupathi, who assured him of support, Kashyap finally decided to take on the role, leading to his involvement in Maharaja. This interaction highlighted the collaborative spirit between the two filmmakers and actors, demonstrating a supportive network in the Indian film industry.

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