Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s brief act in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, actor Deepika Padukone’s appearance in a special song in Cirkus and actor Salman Khan’s dance act in actor Riteish Deshmukh’s directorial debut, Ved, were the most talked about cameos this year. We also saw actor Akshay Kumar’s surprise appearance in An Action Hero, actor Ranbir Kapoor’s cameo in Govinda Naam Mera, and actors Anushka Sharma and Aamir Khan’s cameos in Qala and Salaam Venky, respectively.

While short acts by big stars do become a talking point on social media, the big question is, do cameos really have a novelty factor anymore and do they add any value to films in terms of viewership? Recent numbers and fan reviews suggest that they don’t help most films these days.

Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “Cameos may not really help in pushing the box-office numbers. I don’t think fans throng theatres just to catch a glimpse of their favourite actor in a cameo appearance. Guest appearances by A-list actors can be a nice marketing tool that only helps a film before the release. Cameos were more meaningful in the ’80s or ’90s.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, trade expert Komal Natha adds, “No one buys a film ticket because of cameos. Thinking that a movie will work because of guest appearances is a misconception.”

While many agree that guest appearances get talked about on social media, most releases with big cameos this year failed to attract audiences or get cash registers ringing. For instance, fans loved Akshay’s scene with actor Ayushmann Khurrana in An Action Hero, but it didn’t translate into love for the film.

Director Anirudh Iyer, who helmed the movie, says, “One needs to be very thoughtful about cameos. A forced one might make the audience instantly disconnect from the film.”

Up next, there are reports of Salman making a cameo in Shah Rukh’s upcoming film, Pathaan. Also, Shah Rukh is rumoured to return the favour by doing a cameo in Salman’s Tiger 3. While this may generate curiosity, experts feel that ultimately, a film’s fate is only decided by its content.

Casting director Gautam Kishanchandani shares, “If it is a well-told story, cameos are interesting. The narrative needs to be engrossing and the cameo works only if it is put in the film the right way. If the film is weak, kisi ko bhi le aao, kuch farq nahin padega.”

What does a first-time director need to realise his filmmaking dream? A trusting producer and a courageous actor, according to Anirudh Iyer. The director, who is ready with his maiden feature film An Action Hero, says producer Aanand L Rai told him to take the leap into filmmaking. “I assisted Aanand sir for years [on the Tanu Weds Manu franchise, and Zero], until one day, he told me to stop following him and start working on my own film. He said, ‘Get me a script’,” recounts Iyer.

That left the second box to be ticked. When Iyer, with debutant writer Neeraj Yadav, developed the script about an on-screen action hero using his skill-set in real life after he has tense encounters with a fan, he could only imagine Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead. This, when the actor — known for his social comedies — did not have any actioner in his filmography. Coincidentally, producer Rai shared his vision.

“He instantly called Ayushmann. Anything ordinary doesn’t excite him. He is the bravest actor in the industry [today]. This film is a journey of a reel action hero becoming a real action hero. You needed a [talented] actor to pull it off,” reasons the director.

Locking horns with Khurrana in the movie is another powerhouse performer, Jaideep Ahlawat, essaying the role of a disgruntled fan, out to seek revenge. It’s often believed that a two-hero film can be daunting for a director, who has to tend to actors’ insecurities. But Iyer had the advantage of having two artistes confident about what they bring to the table.

“I have heard stories [of actors getting insecure in multi-starrers]. I was afraid. But fortunately, they became buddies. They would have dinner together every evening,” he says.

A look at Ayushmann Khurrana’s Instagram feed, dotted with stunning pictures of London, is bound to make you envious. The actor has headed to the United Kingdom capital to shoot for producer Aanand L Rai’s An Action Hero. Anirudh Iyer’s directorial debut will see Khurrana play an action star who has to indulge in real-life stunts to save the day.

When we connect with him, the actor reveals that the film — owing to its subject — needed to be mounted on a big scale. “This is the first time that I will be shooting in London. I’m excited to explore the beauty of the country [Britain] from close quarters. An Action Hero is mounted on a scale that requires it to be shot in lavish locations. So, while we will film in some gorgeous places of India, we will also shoot at some breath-taking places in the United Kingdom,” he says.

The UK is witnessing a surge in Omicron cases, but Khurrana is assured as the production team is following the necessary safety norms. From Anek that was shot in Assam and Meghalaya to An Action Hero, he is grateful that his films have taken him to different parts of the world. “We actors are blessed because our profession takes us to remarkable places, makes us collaborate with incredible people and helps us make fantastic memories.”