Mega-Casting Coup? Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan Reportedly Eyed for Cameos in Alia Bhatt’s ‘Alpha’ After ‘War 2’ Setback

The ambitious roadmap for Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe is reportedly undergoing a significant re-evaluation following the underwhelming box office performance of its recent tentpole release, War 2. In a strategic move to reinvigorate the franchise’s momentum and amplify the buzz for the upcoming film, Alpha, reports suggest that YRF head Aditya Chopra is reaching out to the biggest stars of the universe, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, for potential blockbuster cameos in the female-led spy thriller.

The upcoming film, Alpha, which stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh as the universe’s new female agents, alongside Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles, is now being viewed as a crucial project to restore the audience’s faith after War 2 failed to meet its high expectations. Hrithik Roshan’s return as Agent Kabir has already been confirmed for a special appearance in Alpha, but the production house appears to be banking on a further surge in star power to ensure its success.

The ‘Pathaan’ Factor: Shah Rukh Khan’s Potential Cameo

The most recent and significant development is the reported approach to Shah Rukh Khan to reprise his highly popular role as Agent Pathaan. Sources indicate that Aditya Chopra has personally requested Khan for a cameo, one that is strategically designed to not only elevate Alpha but also directly set up the narrative for the much-anticipated sequel, Pathaan 2.

• Setting up ‘Pathaan 2’: The suggested cameo is believed to be a crucial link in the Spy Universe’s timeline, potentially serving as a post-credit sequence or a short, impactful appearance that connects Alia Bhatt’s new story to Pathaan’s next mission.
• The Schedule Hurdle: Shah Rukh Khan is currently committed to his next major project, King, which is complicating the scheduling. However, at the producer’s request, the superstar is reportedly trying to reschedule his commitments to free up three to four days for filming in early November, with a final confirmation expected soon.

The ‘Tiger’ Card: Salman Khan’s Appearance in the Works

Beyond Shah Rukh Khan, there is also speculation that Aditya Chopra is working on integrating Salman Khan’s iconic character, Agent Tiger, into Alpha. While the script for this particular role is reportedly still being fine-tuned, the intent is clear: to replicate the massive excitement generated by Tiger’s cameo in Pathaan. Sources suggest that Salman Khan will only be approached once a role with the same high-octane impact and narrative significance has been finalized.

A Crucial Juncture for the YRF Spy Universe

The reports of these major star maneuvers underline the gravity of the situation following the War 2 performance. While the film managed to collect a decent sum, it significantly underperformed relative to its monumental budget and the high bar set by the franchise’s previous successes, like Pathaan and War (2019). The War 2 setback reportedly led to “crucial revisions” in the script and execution of Alpha, with Aditya Chopra taking a more hands-on role in the project.

By bringing the three main pillars of the Spy Universe—Tiger, Pathaan, and Kabir—together, even if briefly, in Alpha, Aditya Chopra aims to create the most interconnected film in the franchise’s history. This strategy is an apparent attempt to use the proven star power and narrative continuity of the existing agents to propel the new, female-led instalment, scheduled for a Christmas 2025 release, back into the blockbuster league and secure the future of the multi-crore film universe.