Penelope Cruz may not be doing Anurag Basu’s film with Hrithik Roshan but the actress picked for the part is no less. Barbara Mori is right up there in the sizzler scale and her first few films make it evident why producer Rakesh Roshan and director Basu went for the Mexican hottie.

“She is the number one actress in Latin America,” announces Anurag Basu over phone from Mumbai. “And she is also a good actress. You should see her films.”

Part-Uruguayan, part-Japanese, yet of Mexican heritage, Mori is a model-turned actress and starred in the 2005 Spanish blockbuster La Mujer de mi Hermano (My Brother’s Wife). She previously became famous for playing the title role of the hit Mexican TV soap Rubi.

There’s no problem with age either, with Mori being born in 1978, making her a good four years younger than co-star Hrithik Roshan. The film, which will be shot in New Mexico, Las Vegas and Los Angeles from July, has also got a title — Kites.

The other actress in the film is Kangana Ranaut, the role which was first offered to Deepika Padukone. Kites will have music by Rajesh Roshan.