Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori hogged the limelight at the Cannes red carpet for upcoming film 'Kites' but Kangana Ranaut, who plays a pivotal role in the film, was not invited for the event. Producer Rakesh Roshan has cited a last minute plan as the reason for the miss.

'Kangana was not told to accompany Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik (Roshan) and Anurag Basu although the director is very close to her and in fact, was instrumental in recommending her for the role in 'Kites'. We believe the team wanted to focus on the Hrithik-Barbara pair to give 'Kites' a more international crossover appeal at Cannes,' a source close to Kangana told IANS.

Basu had cast Kangana in films like 'Gangster - A Love Story' and 'Life In A... Metro'.

Rakesh Roshan, his son Hrithik Roshan and Basu have returned to Mumbai from Cannes while Barbara Mori has gone back to Mexico - all are content with the way the nine-minute trailer of 'Kites' has been received at the international jamboree.

But doesn't it appear strange that the film's leading lady was left out at such an important event?

When questioned, Rakesh Roshan washed his hands off the matter, saying: 'We ourselves were not sure till the last minute who was going or not. Even my brother Rajesh Roshan, who has done the 'Kites' music, was left out because of the last-minute flurry. I think our co-producers Big Pictures would be the best people to comment on why Kangana couldn't go.'

When contacted, a representative of Big Pictures said: 'I think Mr. Rakesh Roshan would be able to comment on why Kangana wasn't at Cannes.'