MUMBAI: The sequel factor: Can sequels to hit Bollywood films change the industry’s course in 2021?

MUMBAI: A host of sequels and
instalments such as Badhaai Do, Satyameva Jayate 2, Bhool Bhulaiya 2 are in the
making. Actors, filmmakers and experts believe that sequels can help lure
audiences back into theatres.

Sequels
to hit films aren’t anything new. However, in the Covid 19 era, when theatres
need patrons to fill the maximum number of seats, this tried and tested formula
could just do the trick.

A host of
instalments are in the making and some set to release in theatres this year
itself. Sample this long list: Satyameva Jayate 2 (SJ2), Ek Villain Returns,
both starring John Abraham, Bhool Bhulaiya 2 (BB2) with Kartik Aaryan filling
Akshay Kumar’s shoes from the original, Badhaai Do with Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi
Pednekar, and more.

Trade
expert Atul Mohan says in the current times, sequels do hold the power to lure
audiences back to the theatres. He cites past examples to show how much power a
franchise or instalment holds.

“Housefull,
Golmaal are highly successful films, and all parts worked. Similar was the case
with Koi… Mil Gaya and Krrish. There have been some failures and
disappointments. What will help in the current scenario is you already have a
popular title with you, so they will make an instant connection with the
audience. Marketing will also be easy, but the content of course will do the
talking,” he explains.

Anees
Bazmee, who is helming BB2, says in a situation where people have just begun
warming up to theatre visits, there are both advantages and disadvantages to a
sequel.

“To begin
with, there’s already a positive frame of mind. For example, the first Bhool
Bhulaiya was a major hit, people liked it, same happened with my film Welcome
(2007). People have expectations therefore, so there are chances of the film
working. The downside could be that the expectations are of a different kind.
Compared to a normal film, which people judge on it’s own merit, the sequel is
always judged in comparison with the first one. If the second one is not a
bigger hit, people say ‘kami reh gayi’.”

While
Bunty Aur Babli 2 will see Saif Ali Khan alongside Rani Mukerji, joined by
Sidhant Chaturvedi and Sharvari, Hungama 2 will have an ensemble cast of Paresh
Rawal, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Meezaan and Pranitha Subhash.

Actors,
on their part, focus more on the entertainment factor. Abraham, who leads the
show in SJ2, says, “The film must be entertaining. If it has that, and is in a
commercial masala space, so be it. I think Milap (Milan Zaveri, director) makes
mass films, and he is very unapologetic about it. I love his sense of
conviction in the kind of cinema he makes. It not only drives me, but the
entire unit.”

Zaveri
says sequels are always awaited at the box office by audiences. “The goodwill
of the first part ensures excitement and creates expectations. They are very
important for cinemas to get footfalls. I’m confident we will give audiences
double the action, dialogue-baazi and heroism,” he quips.

Exhibitor
Akshaye Rathi however believes sequels aren’t a guaranteed hit formula. “It’s
not like sequels can do the trick in getting back masses. If it’s a badly made
film, and doesn’t connect with people, it will go nowhere. The one thing
sequels bring to the table is relativity. The simple reason why any franchise
like Dhoom, Munnabhai does well, is because people really connect to those
characters and hold close to their hearts. They have great memories. Beyond
that, there is nothing else sequels can do,” he reasons.