Top stars don negative roles to explore new territories
New Delhi: Top film stars, traditionally cast in lead roles, are agreeing to play negative characters in high-budget, multilingual projects primarily outside their home market, in a new emerging trend. Emraan Hashmi, for instance, is set to portray the antagonist in Telugu star Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming project, while Sanjay Dutt will take on a similar role in Tamil star Vijay’s Leo.
Saif Ali Khan will play the negative lead in a Jr NTR film, while the latter, Jr NTR, will reciprocate as the villain in Yash Raj Films’ highly-anticipated War 2. Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran will also play the antagonist in Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff-starrer Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan.
One of the driving forces behind this trend is the allure of hefty remunerations offered to lead stars when they venture into other language industries. This financial incentive, coupled with the presence of multiple popular actors, helps secure funding and enhances the overall viability of these ambitious cross-industry projects.
“The globalization of the cinema industry has paved the way for increased cross-cultural collaborations and the blurring of language barriers. This phenomenon aligns with changing audience preferences, who now embrace diverse storytelling and unconventional character portrayals," said Devang Sampat, chief executive of Cinepolis India.
Names like Saif Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Jr NTR, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and others venturing into new territories and markets make for a transformative phase in the film industry where these actors get to redefine the image they are known for and challenge stereotypes. Besides, trade experts say it is easier to secure funding for projects when multiple stars are on board, and each ensures their fan
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