The era of sequels in Bollywood

Has a film been a commercial success? If so, make a sequel. Many filmmakers in Hollywood have followed that approach with considerable success. Closer home, Bollywood also understands that it is not a bad idea.

Recent times have seen the release of Indra Kumar’s star-studded comedy Total Dhamaal, the third installment of the Dhamaal franchise. Critics panned the film but that didn’t impact its performance at the box-office. Punit Malhotra’s Student of the Year 2, the sequel to Karan Johar’s Student of the Year, wasn’t greeted with favourable reviews either. But the film attracted many viewers to the ticket counters which is the most heartening sight for the producer of commercial films.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that several sequels are in the works in Bollywood. Director Farhad Samji’s multi-starrer Housefull 4, the fourth part of the Housefull franchise, is presently scheduled for release during Diwali. Reports suggest that the funny take on reincarnation is likely to show Akshay Kumar as a 16th-century king in the first half. Chunkey Pandey, who shows up as the half Italian character Aakhri Pasta in the first three instalments, will be seen as Vasco da Gama’s nephew – which, if true, is a writer’s error since Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese and not a half-Italian explorer.

Those who loved Priyadarshan’s Hera Pheri and Neeraj Vora’s Phir Hera Pheri will be excited at the thought of watching the third instalment of the series. The first two films were well-scripted entertainers, the reason why the viewer ought to be optimistic about the third film that is being reportedly made after a gap of 13 years. Sources indicate that Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal will be reprising their roles of Raju, Shyam and Baburao Ganpatrao Apte respectively. The re-emergence of these characters will be thoroughly enjoyable – if the script is as good as earlier.

Likely to be released early next year, Remo D’Souza’s Street Dancer 3D, starring Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor is the third part of the successful ABCD franchise. The director has said that the upcoming dance drama will be bigger than the prequels, which makes it potentially interesting for followers of the franchise.

Director Mahesh Bhatt had made Sadak, a much-appreciated film, starring Sanjay Dutt and Pooja Bhatt in 1991. Twenty-eight years later, work has started on its sequel Sadak 2 starring Sanjay Dutt and Alia Bhatt. It reportedly deals with depression, love and loss, and filmgoers who had seen the first film will have high expectations from the sequel.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala had made his directorial debut with the Salman Khan blockbuster, Kick, in 2014. Five years later, he is ready to helm Kick 2, which will also star Salman in the protagonist’s role. For a while, there were rumours that Rohit Shetty might be directing the film. That story has turned out to be untrue, and Nadiadwala will return to the director’s chair. Will he make a super hit once again?

Homi Adjania is directing Angrezi Medium, the sequel to the muchappreciated Hindi Medium helmed by Saket Chaudhary. The film stars Irrfan, Radhika Madan, Kareena Kapoor-Khan and Deepak Dobriyal. Hindi Medium was a classic multiplex entertainer and fans of the film will expect an equally good sequel.

Other sequels are on the cards as well. Go Goa Gone 2, the sequel to Raj and D.K’s zombie comedy, Go Goa Gone, will reportedly see Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu and Vir Das reprising their roles. The sequel to Neeraj Pandey’s MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, a sleeper hit in 2016, is also in the works, according to reports. The film will chronicle the former Indian cricket captain’s life after the 2011 World Cup and also take a look at his personal life. And, who will play Dhoni? The grapevine suggests it will be Sushant Singh Rajput once again.

The thought of making a sequel comes into being after the first film gets accepted because of its characters and storyline. Once that happens, some filmmakers extend the idea further to make another film of a similar nature. It is the memory of the first film that makes the viewer gravitate to the theatre. The maker wants to make it happen since success is all that matters.