EXCLUSIVE: Decoding the importance of suspense around cameos in cinematic universe films

EXCLUSIVE: Decoding the importance of suspense around cameos in cinematic universe films

As a seasoned film enthusiast with decades of cinema-going under my belt, I must say that the strategic use of cameo appearances and cinematic universes is a fascinating trend in Bollywood. The suspense surrounding these cameos can indeed heighten anticipation and potentially boost box office performance. However, as the experts pointed out, it’s a delicate balance between building intrigue and managing audience expectations.

Lately, the Bollywood film industry is focusing on two key aspects: developing a cinematic universe and incorporating cameo roles. This strategy is seen as a reliable method for success at the box office. In a 2024 film preview video, industry experts from trade, marketing, and critique gathered to discuss the significance of suspense surrounding cameos in films based on a cinematic universe.

Himesh Mankad, Varun Gupta, and Anmol Jamwal from TopMob, MAX Marketing, and Tried and Refused Productions respectively gathered to chat about the trend of cameo roles in contemporary films. They praised the guest appearances of Vijay Deverkonda in Kalki 2898 AD, Suriya in Vikram, and Kamal Hassan’s voice-over in Leo, along with other notable ones.

Simultaneously, Varun pointed out that it serves as a public relations opportunity for the producers to fuel speculation, which could potentially “disappoint” viewers if it fails to materialize.

As stated by Himesh, if every character or actor from the film “Singam Again” wasn’t featured in the trailer, the movie would have taken a significantly distinct direction.

He clarified his gesture by stating, “Everyone understands it’s a universe, everyone comprehends that these characters exist. However, during the filming process, there was an element of surprise because we didn’t know in which scenes Deepika would appear, Tiger would appear, or even Akshay sir for that matter.

In support of his argument, Anmol concurred and emphasized that Rohit Shetty’s approach of presenting the film as it would appear on screen in theaters could be considered detrimental to preserving the suspenseful aspect of the narrative, which he referred to as a “disadvantage” rather than a “disservice.

Watch full conversation here

Himesh also pointed out that YRF skillfully preserves the intrigue through their cameos. He commented that although it would be simple for them to give clues by displaying Salman Khan’s famous scarf or Shah Rukh Khan’s Jhoome Jo Pathaan, they instead make the cameos unique and “pay tribute to the main actor.

In a similar vein to Singham Again, Mankad referenced the finale scene with Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor, stating that suspense wasn’t effectively created since it was common knowledge that Akshay Kumar would eventually make an appearance.

Anmol added, “If you aren’t worried about either main character meeting their end at this critical point, it suggests that your emotional involvement in the narrative has lessened, as you’ve led us to believe a savior will appear to rescue them.

Varun Gupta emphasized the significance of building tension in a scene while discussing his experience watching Aamir Khan’s Lagaan. He expressed heartfelt admiration for the screenplay of the period sports drama. Similarly, Himesh commended the trailer for Jawan, noting that it piqued curiosity about Shah Rukh Khan’s character.

Varun Gupta expressed that the film Singham Again, for him, wasn’t just about the storyline but also the influence of its background music on the overall viewing experience. He recalled watching the original Singham back in 2011, where Ajay Devgn’s character strides in slow motion while the title track plays, leaving a lasting impression.

The crowd is getting overly excited. In a recent scene, an actor has taken his seat on a motorbike. It’s interesting to note that this simple action has caused such a stir among the viewers, as it seems to be connected to something they recognize or respond to emotionally.

He expressed, “When the trailer was released, I wished I could cheer and applaud everything! But there was a particular background music that somehow dampened my enthusiasm for enjoying it thoroughly, as if it interfered with my overall experience.

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2024-12-19 19:37