After the monumental success of Bahubali 2, the sequel runs for many high-level films. KGF and Pushpa series are prime examples of filmmakers capitalizing on this trend. Many small films appreciated by the audience have also tried to do a bank on this trend, which has achieved some success.

The previous weekend, March 27–28, four films were released in theaters – which recently included sequel to release films like L2: Emperan and Mad Square, or Prequel including Robinhood and Veera Dhir Sorran. Keeping this in mind, there are five South Indian sequels since the last decade, beyond Bahubali, KGF and Pushpa, which click with the public.

1. Drisham 2

Starring Mohanlal in the lead, this sequel to the 2013 blockbuster Drisham was directly released on the OTT on February 19, 2021. Like its predecessor, the film received significant appreciation for its technical execution and story style. Drisham released in 2013, gained more than Rs 75 crore at the box office, became the highest grossing Malayalam film at that time. Since then it has been remade in Kannada, Telugu and Hindi.

See the trailer of Drishyam 2 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f- ND1UGSJQ

2. Tilu square

Starring Sidhu Jonanagadda and Anupama Parmeswaran, the sequel to 2022 film DJ Tillu was released on 29 March 2024. After the success of the first part, Sidhu Jonanagadda, who co-written the first film, also co-written the sequel. Tilu Square was loved by the audience at its release, with many people’s confidence it crossed a rare feat for a sequel. according to the report SacnilkThe film collected gross of Rs 126.75 crore worldwide.

See the trailer of Tilu Square here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rox7eqczsus

3. Jigarthanda doublex

In the lead, Raghav Lawrence and SJ Surya starring, this second installment of Super-Hit 2014, Jigarthanda was released on 10 November 2023. Both films written and directed by Karthik Subberaj, Doublex not only lived up to the standards set by Jigartanda, but also excluded them. The film collected around Rs 65 crore at the box office worldwide and received significant praise for its filmmaker’s signature Western style and theme.

Watch the trailer of the film here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvoujejn1e4

4. Bhairathi Rangal

Shiva Rajkumar played the lead role, this second installment is a preh for the superhit 2017 film Mufti and was released in theaters on November 15, 2024. This new-nine gangster drama was focused on the backstory of the dreaded gangster played by Shiv Rajkumar. The film received significant praise and collected close to Rs 30 crore at the box office.

Watch the trailer of the film here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpcywcase5u

5. F3: Fun and frustration

Venkatesh, Varun Tej, and Tamannaah Bhatia starrer, the 2019 Telugu hit ‘F2: Fun and Desperate’ was released in theaters on 27 May, 2022. Although sequel did not overcome the success of its predecessor, F3 was loved by fans for slapstick comedy. The film collected around Rs 90 crore at the box office worldwide and was declared a hit.

Watch the trailer of the film here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuyonsmuxy4

Many other sequels have been released in the last decade, but very successful projects have been made much more successful. Films such as Kangwa, Deora, and recently L2: Ampuran have all the thin elements in their stories that have enough material for a follower.

In contrast, the examples listed above were developed after a complete completion of the arcs of their predecessors. Has filmmakers misunderstood this trend, or does it just run their curriculum? This is a question that every cinema lover needs to consider.