Today, there's buzz that SS Rajamouli is likely to rope in Chris Hemsworth for an extended cameo in #SSMB29.
Not just that, another scoop claims that the Allu Arjun-starrer might feature either Dwayne Johnson or Will Smith as the antagonist.
However, sources believe this could be nothing more than PR-driven gossip aimed at generating early hype around these films.
But even if true, how much does this kind of casting actually help?
Mike Tyson acted in Liger (directed by Puri Jagannadh), and it didn’t make any difference. His presence went unnoticed, and no one really talked about his role.
Similarly, cricketer David Warner appeared in Robinhood starring Nithiin; again, no significant impact. Nobody cared or remembered the cameo.
The same applies to Akshay Kumar’s role in Kannappa. Ironically, that casting decision turned out to be a major drawback.
He reportedly charged the highest, but the role didn’t add any value to the film’s performance in the northern market. South Indian audiences didn’t even connect with it, making the investment seem pointless.
So, does casting national or international stars in regional or pan-India films truly help anymore? It appears not. Those days are long gone.
Unless the content itself has the power to engage, no actor no matter how big, can help the film. If the hero is a strong star and the story is compelling, spending money on expensive cameos or celebrity casting is often just a waste of resources.
