In recent years, Bollywood has seen an increase in the production of film sequels and franchises, indicating a change in the way filmmakers tell stories. Once seen as a gamble, the idea of ​​re-releases of successful films has become a strategic strategy to increase existing fan bases, boost box-office collections, and capitalize on characters already loved by audiences. The step has been taken.
From action-packed thrillers to family comedies, sequels and franchises have dominated the industry, with films like Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Stree 2 and many more making their way to the silver screen. While some have been huge successes, others have received mixed responses, which begs the question: is this trend a new golden age for Bollywood or a risky attempt to cash in on old formulas?
Bollywood has always been open to experiments, but the rise of sequels and franchises has become prominent in recent years. Take the latest installment of the highly successful Singham series, Singham Again, which once again saw Ajay Devgan reprise his iconic role of a no-nonsense cop.
The Singham franchise has built a loyal following, and with each new release, the anticipation grows. It’s not just action movies that are gaining momentum – comedies like Housefull have also become lucrative sources for sequels.
The upcoming Housefull 5 promises to bring back the star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar and some new faces with another dose of slapstick humor, making it clear that audience demand for these films is strong. .
Similarly, Stree 2, the follow-up to the 2018 horror-comedy Stree, is another sequel that ruled the box office upon its release. Starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, Stree was a big hit due to its unique blend of horror and humor.
As audiences are loving sequels, filmmakers are also working on new franchises that promise to be the next big thing. For example, Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal is now eyeing becoming a major franchise. Kapoor’s serious transformation for the role and the film’s intense action-packed story have already created anticipation. Reports suggest that the film may have multiple sequels, which would be the beginning of another long-running franchise.
Apart from this, films like Raid 2, Son of Sardar 2, Jolly LLB 3, War 2 and Kick 2 are also in the pipeline. Although these films were successful in their first installments, it remains to be seen whether their next films can live up to the high expectations set by their predecessors. The challenge is in keeping the story fresh while maintaining the elements that made the original film a hit.
The success of a sequel is not always guaranteed. For every Singham or Bhool Bhulaiyaa that exceeds expectations, there are sequels like Race 3 or Housefull 4 that fall short, often criticized for rehashing old content without adding anything new to the table. In some cases, audiences feel that the magic of the original film is lost in the pursuit of commercial success.
Ultimately, sequels and franchises have become a double-edged sword. When done right, they can offer fans the continuation of the story they want, while also providing lucrative returns for producers. However, when sequels rely too heavily on the formula that made the first film popular, they risk alienating their audience.
While some sequels have been massively successful, others have struggled to live up to their predecessors. For Bollywood, the key lies in striking the right balance between nostalgia and novelty, ensuring that these franchises evolve in ways that keep audiences engaged and excited for more.
Whether this trend will continue to dominate or eventually fizzle out remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the sequel culture in Bollywood is here to stay – at least for now.
Also read: Opinion: The Rise of the Spy Universe: Is Raj and DK’s grounded, character-driven story overshadowing YRF’s glitzy, lavish blockbusters?
