Why did Superstar say yes to SRK?

SRK is the man who knows his onions; be it acting or business. Even though he has not reconsidered the commencement of his now-on-hold project Raana, superstar Rajinikanth was persuaded by SRK to make a cameo appearance in the latter’s multi-crore budget superhero movie Ra.One. Superstar Rajinikanth gladly obliged.

Rajini obliged gladly and the shoots happened in Mumbai on October 2 at Subash Gai’s studios in a glitzy set constructed for the movie. It’s heard that Rajini’s cameo is quintessential to facilitate the movie’s release for Diwali. With that the crew is on its way to wrap up the shoots, readying the movie for its Diwali grand release.

So what made SRK invite south superstar Rajinikanth for a cameo in Ra.One? There are two obvious reasons. One, Bollywood and elsewhere is drawing parallels between Ra.One and Rajini’s mega blockbuster, India’s most expensive movie ever made,  Endhiran. SRK is conscious about the similarities. It’s there for all to see after all. Two, Rajini’s star power down south is an excellent booster for accelerating Ra.One’s business down south. If not for the movie or SRK, there will always be diehard fans of Rajini who would want to catch a glimpse of him onscreen since he is missing in action since Endhiran.

SRK probably wants to tell his fans and the Bollywood media that Endhiran and Ra.One do not share a similar storyline. To substantiate it, he brings in Rajini and makes him do a cameo part. Perfect. By the way, Rajini plays the cameo of Chitti, the Robot, who helps SRK’s onscreen wifey Kareena get away from the villains. It’s Chutti who rescues Kareena and her kid from the menacing villains.

And the trade angle is the most valuable and clever angle. Like it is said before, Ra.One’s business down south will go through the roof after publicity is made to the effect that Rajini is indeed part of the movie. All the while ensuring that his movie is not typecast with Endhiran – which was also dubbed and released in Hindi as well – SRK is also making sure that he is deriving business out of Rajini’s cameo.

Two birds with one stone, did someone say?

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