Post by AshokA few films have both categories in the titles.
Ashok
I doubt whether the film producers/directors have
a very clear-cut distinction between the two.
Sometimes I get a feeling that both terms are used
interchangeably. At other times, though, it seems
as if some sort of distinction can be made (by the
filmgoers) as follows :
Guest Actors/Actresses :
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These are the people who are roped in by the
producer/director so as to boost the film's
popularity, to attract the audiences. Examples
of such persons/casting : Amitabh Bachchan,
Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan. One
can perhaps say that the stars in question are
sort of obliging the producer/director.
Special Appearance :
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These are usually people of lesser prominence,
people who are no longer the crowds' favourites,
who are going downhill but would still like to
appear in films in recognizable roles. In order
to save them embarrassment, their names are not
included in the regular cast of characters.
Instead, a special expedient has been devised, by
creating a separate category : "Special Appearance".
The artistes can still feel a certain degree of
exclusivity and importance. One can perhaps say that
it is the producer/director who is doing them a favour.
In the first case, perhaps no payment (for services
rendered) may be involved. In the second case,
payment is definitely involved, though on a rather
restricted scale.
Over the years, I have seen a special phenomenon,
particularly in Maharashtra. Some film actor,
belonging to the "has been" category, is invited as
a guest at a wedding, usually in a moffusil town.
The hosts want to give some sort of an impression that
they are connected with film industry bigwigs.
The invitee's job is to remain present prominently,
to dance with the wedding party etc. Here payment
is definitely involved. Somehow I get a feeling
that "Special Appearance" is a similar practice,
except that the artistes are still lingering on in
the industry mainstream.
Just my opinion.
Afzal