Bollywood’s reliance on sequels as guaranteed hits is fading as audiences demand more than just familiar brands. While some, like Gadar 2 and Tiger Zinda Hai, have succeeded through nostalgia and expanded universes, many others, including recent releases like War 2 and Housefull 5, have faltered due to weak scripts and brand fatigue.
For a long time, sequels were seen as Bollywood’s safest bet. A hit film meant a built-in audience, familiar characters, and a pre-sold brand that could draw crowds to theatres with minimal risk. From Golmaal to Dhoom, the formula seemed simple: take a loved story or character, put them in a new setting, and watch the cash registers ring. In the past one has seen super success with sequels in the form of Baahubali 2- The Conclusion, KGF Chapter 2 and Pushpa 2- The Fire, . They were actually part of 1 story which was then split into two which is something we haven’t seen in Bollywood much.But the recent underperformance of films like War 2, Son of Sardaar 2, and Housefull 5 has once again underlined an important truth: sequels are no longer a guarantee of success. Audiences have grown more discerning, competition has become stiffer, and brand fatigue has set in for many long-running franchises.While some sequels in Bollywood did strike gold (Gadar 2, Tiger Zinda Hai, Tanu Weds Manu Returns Golmaal franchise etc ), many others have faltered, proving that nostalgia alone cannot save a weak script or lack of innovation.The Rise and Fall of the Sequel FormulaBollywood discovered the power of sequels in the mid-2000s, when Lage Raho Munna Bhai and Dhoom 2 (2006) built on the runaway success of Munna Bhai MBBS and Dhoom weren’t just commercially successful; it was a cultural phenomenon that outshone the original, becoming the most loved films of its era. The success of Krrish (2006) reinforced the trend. Sequels seemed like the easiest way to maximize returns from proven storylines. Producers quickly realized that in an industry where box office performance was unpredictable, franchises provided a sense of security.But as more studios jumped on the bandwagon, the cracks began to show. Instead of organic stories that deserved a continuation, sequels became quick cash-grabs, banking on star power and brand recall rather than strong storytelling.When Sequels Failed to Live Up to the HypeA glance at the last decade reveals how often sequels have stumbled:Welcome Back (2015): The original Welcome (2007) remains a cult comedy, but its sequel failed to recreate the same charm despite a star-studded cast. The absence of Akshay Kumar was keenly felt, and the film, while earning decent numbers, failed to leave a lasting impression.Race 3 (2018): One of the most infamous cases, this Salman Khan-starrer took a stylish thriller franchise and turned it into a meme-worthy disaster. It opened huge due to hype but collapsed soon after, leaving the Race brand in shambles with makers reaching out to Saif Ali Khan once again to reboot the franchise.Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara (2013): Riding on the success of Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010), the sequel had Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan, and Sonakshi Sinha, yet it turned out to be one of the year’s biggest disappointments, hurt by weak writing and lack of emotional connect.Dabangg 3 (2019): The Dabangg franchise, once a crown jewel of Salman Khan’s stardom, showed clear signs of fatigue. Despite decent collections, the film was panned for its formulaic storytelling, marking the decline of the franchise.Raaz 3 (2012) and Raaz Reboot (2016): While the first two Raaz films worked well in the horror space, subsequent installments were criticized for repetitive scares and lack of novelty, ending the franchise’s relevance.Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013) & 3 (2018): What began as a fun Deol family entertainer in 2011 soon turned into a tiresome affair, with each sequel losing the original’s freshness.Ghayal Once Again (2016): Sunny Deol’s attempt to revive his 1990 blockbuster Ghayal fell flat. Despite nostalgia-driven marketing, the film could not connect with younger audiences.Baaghi as a franchise began on a good note and followed it up with an even bigger hit with Baaghi 2 but with the third installment the makers faltered and now they are gearing up for the fourth part. When the teaser of the 4th installment was released many compared it with Animal for its brutality.These examples highlight a key pattern: audiences are no longer willing to forgive lazy storytelling, even in films that are part of beloved franchises.The Recent Case: 2024-25’s Underperforming SequelsThe year 2024-25 was expected to be a big one for Bollywood sequels. War 2, featuring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, was hyped as the biggest action spectacle of the year. Son of Sardaar 2 aimed to capitalize on Ajay Devgn’s popular turbaned character. Housefull 5 promised a laughter riot with its massive ensemble cast.Yet, none of these films have managed to meet expectations.War 2 opened big but hasn’t sustained at the level expected of a tentpole sequel to the YRF Spy Universe.Son of Sardaar 2 has failed to replicate the humor and scale of its predecessor.Housefull 5, despite brand recall, hasn’t received the audience enthusiasm its makers hoped for.Indian 2 led by Kamal Haasan was also one of the biggest disappointment of 2024 putting the third part into jeopardy.The Other Side: When Sequels WorkedIt would be unfair to suggest that sequels never succeed. In fact, some of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters are sequels:Gadar 2 (2023): Sunny Deol’s return as Tara Singh after two decades created a box office storm, proving how nostalgia can be turned into box office gold if packaged well.Tiger Zinda Hai (2017): A sequel that expanded on the universe of Ek Tha Tiger and offered bigger action and scale, it cemented Salman Khan’s position at the top.Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015): A shining example of how to do a sequel right, it deepened its characters, explored fresh conflicts, and ended up surpassing the original both critically and commercially.Bhool Bhuliayaa 2: Kartik Aaryan and Anees Bazmee brought to life the story left behind by Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan. While the second part was a success, the third installment didn’t connect much.Drishyam 2 starring Ajay Devgn was a runaway success and also one of his biggest hits till date. The film not only carried it’s predecessors drama but elevated it to new heights drawing audience in huge numbers.Stree 2 with Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao has been the big sequel success in Bollywood minting over Rs 600 crore at the box office.These films underline that when a sequel offers freshness, stronger conflicts, and emotional depth, audiences embrace it wholeheartedly.Why Sequels Struggle TodaySeveral factors explain why sequels are no longer foolproof:Audience Evolution: Viewers today are exposed to global content through streaming platforms. They expect novelty and sophistication, not recycled formulas.Brand Fatigue: Too many sequels dilute the brand. A franchise can only be stretched so far before audiences tire of it.Star Power Isn’t Enough: Earlier, a big star could carry a weak sequel. Today, even the biggest names need strong scripts to guarantee success.
