Gamers and film buffs alike have a reason to celebrate. Reports confirm that acclaimed Indian director S S Rajamouli and his son S S Karthikeya have landed cameo appearances in Hideo Kojima’s highly anticipated game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The game is set to launch on June 26, 2025, and this exciting crossover has only added to the hype.
Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Death Stranding series, dropped a trailer on March 14, teasing fans with a glimpse of the sequel. In a post accompanying the trailer, Kojima mentioned how he personally edited it to reflect the game’s evolving narrative, gameplay, and connections to its predecessor. He encouraged fans to dive deep into the trailer, dissecting its hints and unraveling its mysteries ahead of the release.
The cameo news first sparked curiosity in April when Kojima shared a photo on X featuring himself with Rajamouli and Karthikeya’s images displayed on a screen behind him. His caption read, “With director S.S. Rajamouli and his son and producer, S.S. Karthikeya.” Karthikeya responded with palpable excitement, tweeting, “Beyond excited for this.” While fans speculated about a possible collaboration, the revelation of their cameos in Death Stranding 2 has now confirmed their involvement.
This collaboration traces back to 2022 when Rajamouli met Kojima in Japan during the promotion of his blockbuster film RRR. The meeting seemingly laid the groundwork for this unexpected yet thrilling crossover between Indian cinema and global gaming.
Meanwhile, Rajamouli continues to make waves in the film industry. He is currently helming a massive project tentatively titled SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Described as an action-adventure film blending history and mythology, it is slated for a 2027 release. Yet, for now, all eyes are on his digital debut in Death Stranding 2.
The inclusion of Rajamouli and Karthikeya in Kojima’s surreal, post-apocalyptic universe marks a fascinating fusion of two creative powerhouses. With the game’s release just around the corner, anticipation is at an all-time high. Will their cameos be a brief nod or a deeper narrative tie-in? Gamers won’t have to wait long to find out.
