Bollywood and its love affair with sequels have been a recurring theme in the Indian film industry. The upcoming year promises an array of sequels from Bollywood and South Indian cinema, including titles like “Tiger 3,” “War 2,” “Kantara 2,” “Pushpa 2,” and more, much to the delight of fans. While some may wonder if this trend is due to a dearth of new scripts, it’s essential to delve deeper into why filmmakers are betting big on sequels. Trade experts Girish Johar and Amul Mohan provide invaluable insights into the phenomenon.
Resurrecting Mass Cinema
With the success of movies like “Gadar 2,” “Jawan,” and “Pathaan,” Bollywood is once again capitalizing on its forte mass cinema. The unprecedented box office numbers of “Gadar 2” exemplify how nostalgia can still draw in the crowds. The genre of action and drama seems to be the safest bet for investors, and in the coming year, we can anticipate sequels such as “Kantara 2,” “Pushpa 2,” and “Singham Again.” Furthermore, big-budget films like “Kalki 2898 AD,” “Devara,” and “Salaar” are being split into two parts, ensuring a prolonged engagement with the audience.
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While some might argue that Bollywood has taken a backseat in producing romances or rom-coms, trade experts couldn’t be happier. The pandemic hit the Indian economy hard, and the film industry was no exception. Sequels offer a cost-effective approach to high-budget filmmaking, and it seems that this strategy is working wonders for producers.
Sequels: A Cost-Effective Proposition for Big Movies
Recent reports indicate that producers are investing significant amounts in Bollywood action movies. For instance, Aditya Chopra reportedly allocated over Rs 35 crores for the jailbreak sequence in “Tiger 3,” and the climax of “Singham Again” comes with a separate budget of Rs 25 crores. Girish Johar, a producer and film business expert, suggests that there are two facets to this approach.
Firstly, most upcoming movies in 2024 are massive spectacle films with substantial investments from financiers and producers. When a film already has an established set and dates from top stars, creating sequels or films in two parts becomes a cost-effective option. Producers realize that audiences are willing to sit through a movie that’s 4 to 4.5 hours long, provided it’s done intelligently and doesn’t entail significant additional expenses.
Johar further emphasizes that if the first movie enjoys a favorable response at the box office, the value of the sequel automatically skyrockets. Even if the initial film doesn’t perform as expected, producers have still recovered some of their investments through various revenue streams like television, music, and digital rights. It’s a win-win situation, offering financial security to producers in all scenarios.
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Producers Ensuring Return on Investment
The success of a franchise is a paramount factor that drives the creation of sequels. Makers have realized that fans have an enduring love for certain classic films, and nostalgia plays a significant role in their success. When they have managed to secure A-list stars for a film, it makes sense to expand the cinematic universe with bigger, more ambitious films without significantly increasing the budget.
Stars, too, are more likely to commit to a sequel if the first film performs well. Additionally, sequels don’t necessitate extensive marketing or promotion efforts since they are in the news from day one due to the loyalty of their fan base.
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The creation of a successful sequel in Bollywood hinges on a combination of factors, each contributing to the film’s resonance with the audience. Sequels offer a unique opportunity to revisit beloved characters and storylines while capitalizing on the goodwill created by the original film. By meeting these criteria, Bollywood has crafted some of the most memorable and successful franchises in Indian cinema history. Sequels may be a popular trend, but it’s the careful attention to these elements that ensures their lasting impact on audiences.
