Hrithik's Olive Branch-article

By Subhash K Jha

It was being widely whispered that Hrithik's departure from Zoya Akhtar's debut film Kismet Talkies, attributed to the actor's reluctance to work with Kareena Kapoor, resulted in the shelving of that project and caused a prolonged delay in Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut, thereby causing a strain in the relations between the Akhtars and the Roshans.

But now, after the temporary postponement of Kismet Talkies, Zoya is directing another project called Luck By Chance which is set in the film industry.

The film will pair Zoya's brother Farhan with Tabu.

But most unusually, Hrithik Roshan will make a very special appearance in Luck By Chance thereby effectually ending all gossip about a fall-out between the Akhtars and the Roshans over Hrithik's non-presence in Kismet Talkies.

Says a source very close to the project, "When Hrithik opted out of Kismet Talkies there was widespread speculation on a strain in the relationship between Farhan and Hrithik. The two had hit it off during Lakshya and had sworn to work together again.

Initially Hrithik was supposed to do both Zoya's Kismet Talkies and Farhan's Don. But when that didn't happen, tongues started wagging."

Hrithik has decided to put all speculation to rest by doing a guest appearance in Zoya's film.

"The role," says the source, "is something only Hrithik could play. It can be described as the mother of all guest appearances."