Anurag Kashyap after a long wait KennedyStarring Rahul Bhatt and Sunny Leone, finally released on Friday, February 20 on ZEE5. The acclaimed film premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. In the same year, it was screened at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, also at the massive Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, where it received an overwhelming response from over 1000 attendees. Last year, Anurag had revealed in an interview that Vijay Sethupathi would be mentioned under ‘Special Thanks’ KennedyBut the reason behind this was not explained. True to his statement, the popular actor is indeed credited, Javed Akhtar is also included in the ‘special thanks’ list.
Exclusive: Anurag Kashyap explains why Vijay Sethupathi and Javed Akhtar are mentioned under ‘special thanks’ at Kennedy
IHNS Exclusively spoke to Anurag Kashyap to understand the reason behind his mention. Anurag revealed, “Vijay gave some editing suggestions in the film.” As far as Javed Akhtar was concerned, he replied, “Earlier, we had used a dialogue of Javed saab. But later it was edited.”
At an event organized by The Hindu in May 2025, Anurag Kashyap revealed how Vijay Sethupathi convinced him to play the antagonist in the 2024 cult Tamil film, King. At that time Anurag had said, “Later.” imaikka nodigal (2018), I said no to many South films because every other day a South film came to me. It started with the post-Kennedy. I was in post-production Kennedy. I was continuously meeting Vijay Sethupathi at my neighbour’s house.
Anurag further added, “He (Vijay Sethupathi) said it was a wonderful story, and he (the producers) King) trying to reach you. I said no earlier. then he helped me find something Kennedy. He has a ‘thank you’ card Kennedy. Then I couldn’t say no to him. Then I said, ‘Listen, I have to get my daughter married next year and I don’t think I can afford it.’ Then Vijay Sethupathi said, ‘We will help you.’ And King It happened (laughing).”
