Sequel Mania!

The trend of making sequels to the movies which have set the cash registers ringing at the box office has undeniably increased in the past few years.



It is fact when we say that a portion of the Indian film industry has become more of a business venture than a medium of sharing art. Cashing in on big names, experimenting with promotional strategies, entering the 100 crore club is become more prominent than the idea of telling a unique story. But do filmmakers have to make it that obvious for all to notice?

The trend of making sequels to the movies which have set the cash registers ringing at the box office has undeniably increased in the past few years. Like many things, even the idea of making sequels has been directly "inspired" from Hollywood. However, unlike Hollywood, most of the sequels made in Bollywood aren't pre-planned and are more of a spur of a moment idea. Once a film does well or has managed to impress the audience/critics in some way, a sequel somehow becomes the automatic next step. As most movies do not plan to be a part of a franchise, these movies often do not have an ending open enough to make way for the next. This perhaps in when creativity is born and our movie makers release such creative ideas that we are left stunned!

It now sometimes feels like filmmakers lack originality and just do not want to bother brainstorming for new ideas. They'd rather cash in the popularity of the previously acknowledged films despite their immense talent in telling new stories.

Though movies such as Race 2, Dabangg 2, Double Dhamaal have been direct sequels to already hit movies, yet to be released movies such as Shootout at Wadala, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Again and Aashiqui 2 aren't really technically sequels as they do not continue the story established in the first installments. Producers, just for the sake of raking in some extra moolah, mint the tag of sequel to lure audience in.

In some cases the sequels work, for example Golmaal ReturnsDon 2Dhoom 2 and the Munnabhai series, but many a times, the movie the sequel only ends up mocking the original story. The most recent example is Race 2, a direct sequel to 2008 blockbuster, Race. While the original movie was praised for its music and flamboyant thrilling story which kept the audience glued to the edge of their seats, the sequel was trashed by critics and audience alike for it's mundane storyline. Or lack of it.

At times like this when filmmakers aren't hesitating to venture into new and unexplored territories and the audience lends their full support to do so, the sequel business seems a bit of a lackluster venture to some. So what we ask is this - are sequels necessary in the film world? Are we better off without them or do we need them to keep the Indian film industry alive? Let us know below!

Author: Maisooma B.
Editors: Komal P. & Jenifer Y. 
Graphics: Marsh P.


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Golmaal Returns poster

Golmaal Returns

Dhoom 2 poster

Dhoom 2

Lage Raho Munna Bhai poster

Lage Raho Munna Bhai

Double Dhamaal poster

Double Dhamaal

Don 2 poster

Don 2

Race 2 poster

Race 2

Aashiqui 2 poster

Aashiqui 2

Shootout At Wadala poster

Shootout At Wadala

Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara! poster

Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!

Dabangg 2 poster

Dabangg 2

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