The year at the movies has been rather eventful. Between blockbusters and content-driven films, a diverse range of movies have been released in theatres. Amidst the many movie trends, it can safely be said that filmmakers really took to cameo and guest appearances. These appearances featured some of the most impactful performances of 2023. Cameos are a great way to add a surprise element or tease crossovers within cinematic universes. For starters, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan had cameos in each other’s films from the YRF Spy Universe. Deepika Padukone then grabbed headlines as she lit up the screen with her presence in Jawan and Bobby Deol stole the spotlight in Animal. And these are just a handful of the cameos seen in films this year. Here are some of the trending cameos that turned out to be major screen-stealers in movies this year:

Salman Khan in Pathaan

Spirits were already high when Pathaan, Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback movie after a four-year hiatus from the big screen, arrived in cinemas. Fans already knew that Salman Khan’s Tiger will share screen space with SRK’s Pathaan in the action film. But nobody was prepared for the sheer star power and the bromance their sequence would unleash. Tiger arrives to get Pathaan out of a bind in an exhilarating train action set piece. At the end of the fight, the two sit together with their wounds. In a fun meta scene, Pathan suggests that it might be time to retire after all these years. To this, Tiger says, “Bachchon pe yeh sab nahi chhod sakte.” If the whistler-worthy entry wasn’t enough, this moment towards the end of the film sure was a winner.

Deepika Padukone in Jawan

The addition of Deepika Padukone to any ensemble cast is a recipe for success. In Shah Rukh Khan’s second movie of the year, Jawan, the actress had an extended cameo. Director Atlee makes full use of SRK and Deepika’s chemistry by introducing her as a key character. Deepika plays Aishwarya, Azad’s mother. While her wrestling scene in the trailer raised anticipation for her appearance, her role was a lot more emotionally loaded. Aishwarya finds herself wrongfully convicted. In jail, she gives birth to her son. The song Araraari Raaro is one of the most poignant depictions of a mother’s love. At the press event after the film’s release, SRK joked that he and Atlee tricked her into doing a full-fledged role in the name of a cameo. That’s just how impactful it was.

Sanjay Dutt in Jawan

The star-studded cast of Jawan had yet another addition in the form of Sanjay Dutt’s cameo. The actor is absolutely delightful as Officer Madhavan Naik. He arrives on a scooter wearing a white mundu. Amidst the high-stakes action, he has a deadline to return home for Onam Sadhya with his family. It’s as charming as it gets. Dutt was so good in his exciting cameo that the makers added another scene featuring the actor in the extended cut of Jawan that was released on OTT. It revealed that he had a larger part to play in Azad’s plans.

Shefali Shah in Neeyat

Shefali Shah and Vidya Balan, two acting powerhouses, have appeared together in Jalsa. A year after the film was released, Shah made a cameo appearance in Balan’s Neeyat. The detective drama did not win praise from critics but its closing moments grabbed attention. In it, Shefali Shah shows up and she has a way of taking over scenes. The film seems to suggest a team-up between Vidya and Shefali and who wouldn’t want to see that?

Shah Rukh Khan in Tiger 3

After Salman Khan’s cameo in Pathaan, Shah Rukh Khan returned the favour with his scene-stealing presence in Tiger 3. His entry left fans ecstatic, further capitalising on SRK and Salman’s camaraderie on screen. The scene went viral in no time upon the film’s release. In fact, Emraan Hashmi who plays the antagonist in the film, admitted to watching the film for a second time in theatres just to witness the two stars on screen again. And the sentiment was echoed by the stars’ many fans.

Hrithik Roshan in Tiger 3

Bobby Deol in Animal

Bobby Deol played the violent and complex Abrar Haque in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. The deaf and mute character goes up against Ranbir Kapoor’s character in the film in an explosive clash. Pictures of the two actors shirtless engaging in hand-to-hand combat went viral even before the film arrived in cinemas. While his portrayal of Abrar sparked criticism, Bobby delivered a passionate performance and easily stole the show with his brief cameo.

Vicky Kaushal in Dunki

Vicky Kaushal’s cameo in Dunki came as fresh proof that the actor can elevate any given frame in any given movie. In a film that is directed by Rajkumar Hirani and led by Shah Rukh Khan, the actor managed to be a major highlight. As Sukhee, he delivered a simple yet endearing performance. Kaushal brings his boy-next-door charm and sincerity to the character. His scenes won hearts as audiences called him one of the best aspects of the film.

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The explosives that had struck merchant ship MV Chem Pluto had detonated fully, experts who examined the remains have found. It was suspected that the ship, which returned to Mumbai yesterday with a huge gash on her stern, was struck by a drone 400 km off India’s west coast. Going by the remains of the attack vehicle, the experts who examined the ship today, have concluded that it was indeed a drone.

After sanitisation and preliminary analysis, which is now in Mumbai, Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists have said that the explosive charge on the drone “detonated completely causing extensive damage above waterline”.

“Remnants of projectile have been collected by the Indian Navy for further forensic analysis,” the Indian Navy told the media.

Consequent to the drone strike, India will now deploy warships, aircraft and other assets in the Indian Ocean to protect merchant vessels.

“In light of the recent maritime incidents in the Arabian Sea, IN has commenced focused maritime security operations in the region. The presence of IN warships and air surveillance in the region has been enhanced. Actions are being progressed in coordination with national maritime agencies towards ensuring safety of merchant marine in the region,” the Navy said.

Already, the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard have moved destroyers in the Arabian Sea. Three warships  — MV Mormugao, Kochi and Kolkata — and maritime patrol aircraft was deployed on Saturday soon after the UK Maritime Trade Operations, or UKMTO, reported the drone attack.

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has been stepping up its attack on ships in the Red Sea shipping lane in retaliation to Israel’s air strikes in Gaza.

The MV Chem Pluto, though, was struck while passing Iran — the obvious conclusion from the situation has been vehemently denied by Iran.

The US Defence headquarters Pentagon has said the ship was hit by “a one-way attack drone fired from Iran”.

India will track down those behind attacks on Merchant Navy ships, “even from the depths of the sea” and take action against them, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said.

MV Chem Pluto, an oil tanker, had sailed from Saudi Arabia and was headed for Mangaluru in Karnataka when it was attacked.

A second oil tanker – the Gabon-registered MV Sai Baba, with 25 Indian crew members on board – was also attacked by a drone in the Southern Red Sea, Indian and American military officials have said.

The BJP has dropped Anupam Hazra, the MP from Bengal’s Bolpur from the post of the party’s national secretary over statements that deviated from the party line.  The decision — which will be implemented immediately — was taken by party chief JP Nadda on a day Union Home Minister and the party’s chief strategist Amit Shah is on a visit to Kolkata.

Mr Hazra was elected from Bolpur on a Trinamool Congress  ticket in 2014 but crossed over to the BJP.

He was the party’s Scheduled Caste face and was given the senior post in 2020. He was given another stint in 2023. He was also made the party’s co-incharge of Bihar.

But over the last months his statements had triggered controversies.

In September, Mr Hazra made headlines by suggesting that “corrupt” leaders of Trinamool Congress, who are expecting summons by the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate should contact him to join the BJP.

The party’s state unit distanced itself from the comment, in the backdrop of Trinamool’s  “washing machine” allegations against the party.

“You can go to my Facebook page and contact me. If you feel shy to come forward and talk about joining the BJP, you can get in touch with me and tell me your wish. We will see how your services can be used for the party,” Mr. Hazra was heard saying in a video that was widely circulated.