The trailer for Alpha was released earlier today, and it did not disappoint. It was full of all the action, espionage, and excitement you would expect from a high-profile spy movie like this one starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in their action roles.
Overall, it is everything you would expect from a large-scale spy thriller movie. There is just one thing that has come up as a common topic around the trailer, though: it is the fact that Hrithik Roshan appears in the trailer itself as part of the YRF Spy Universe. So showing him in a promotional cut isn’t a small detail. It instantly shifts attention. And that raises a bigger question: was this really just fan service, or a calculated move to pull audiences into theatres?
There is no denying that seeing Hrithik appear in the trailer brings authority and relevance to the trailer; it connects Alpha to the overall spy universe, and provides fans of the universe an anchor point with Hrithik in what’s otherwise going to be a brand-new world. From a marketing perspective, the trailer definitely served its purpose. People are having conversations already around how they are excited about his appearance.
But here’s where the conversation gets slightly uncomfortable.
Alpha is being marketed as a women-driven action film, which is different from nearly every other big mainstream Bollywood movie made today. Alia Bhatt and Sharvari are in complete ownership of this movie’s story and action in addition to leading the mission.
In theory, that should catch enough people’s attention to sell the film just based on its actual identity… So, what’s the purpose of having a male superstar’s cameo so duly advertised on the trailer?
It is hard not to wonder if it is another example of an industry-wide shame that big-budget action movies starring women are not viewed as true box office draws. The urge to ‘boost’ this film’s trailer by putting a big male star, even though they are within the same cinematic universe, can feel like a big safety net. A way to say: don’t worry, there’s also Hrithik Roshan here.
This combination does not lessen the impact of the trailer. Alpha looks like they want to be very visually stunning and ambitious. Alia appears to take the whole physical aspect of her role really seriously and, with the added intensity Sharvari has provided, they also provide a great vibe. The action looks awesome, and the scope of the film appears to be honestly theatrical.
But those marketing decisions will have some impact. In this case, the inclusion of Hrithik Roshan in the trailer actually outshone the fact that it was a female-driven film.
This may be cross-promoting the spy universe strategically or just being nice to fans. It could also show how the studios think people behave as an audience.
Because if a women-led action film needs a male superstar reveal in its trailer to build hype, the question isn’t just about Alpha anymore.
It’s about what the industry still believes sells a blockbuster.
In case you did not watch the trailer yet, watch it here:
