6 Bollywood sequels to watch in 2016

The more things change, the more they remain the same. At least, that is how Bollywood loves to keep it. An industry that has forever been sold out on rehashing what worked once ironically took a while before accepting the fad of sequels.

The truth is that Bollywood has always worked with the idea of sequels, although unwittingly. After all, down the decades it has been habitual on part of Hindi filmmakers to repeat the formula that worked once.

So, after Amitabh Bachchan’s angry young man stormed the screen in 1973, every major filmmaker and hero (Big B included) was looking to follow up the formula with minor tweaks in the tale. Similarly, every romantic drama where Shah Rukh Khan played loverboy Raj or Rahul would seem like an extension of the last one where he reprised that box-office savvy template.

Over the years, every major star has tried cashing in on a saleable image, making films that helped serve saleable antics of the last hit all over again.

That was the norm till Bollywood discovered the power to roll it all in one fancy pack, and officially title the whole thing as a franchise, as Hollywood has been doing it forever. Although there were sporadic attempts such as Mithun Chakraborty’s Gun Master G9 series (Surakshaa and Wardat) and Sridevi’s snake-woman saga (Nagina and Nigahen) in the past, the real push came with the Munna Bhai films in the 2000s.

Suddenly, producers were looking for plots and characters that could be given an extended life at the box-office. Phir Hera Pheri was born out of Hera Pheri while Dhoom would be re-hauled as Dhoom 2 and later Dhoom 3. Every major star wanted a franchise under his belt. Everything from Sarkar, Krrish and Don to Masti, Golmaal, Malamaal and Dhamaal looked like the perfect recipe for sequels.

Sequels are no longer novel as a phenomenon. A new film in an old franchise, however, still excites fans. For producers it is about cashing in on brand power. While hardcore commercial cinema has been at it, the success of Tanu Weds Manu Returns last year showed the small-budget crossover film in new-age Bollywood is also out to make its money using the saleable formula.

Over the next six months, there are several sequels lined up. Some look jaded, some hold promise. Producers of these films are naturally expecting to beat the box-office stats of the last one. Here's a look at some which look promising:

Ghayal Once Again

Sunny Deol stars in and directs the film produced by his home banner.

Of all sequels currently generating buzz in Bollywood, Sunny Deol’s Ghayal Once Again must be the film that has raised most curiosity. In 1990, debutant director Rajkumar Santoshi redefined screen rage in Bollywood with Ghayal, and in the process brought back Sunny to the top league at a time he was struggling.

25 years later, Sunny has chosen to return with a follow-up with this sequel — this time, opting to self-direct. Logistics have changed, of course. Sunny is around 58 now — not exactly the ideal age to play out the angry action hero. His box-office prowess has also mellowed.

At a press meet a while back he claimed screen violence today is loud, hinting his film will be more sensible in its portrayal of stunts.

Kya Kool Hain Hum 3

Tusshar Kapoor, Aftab Shivdasani and Mandana Karimi star in Ekta Kapoor’s production.

The film billed "India’s first porn-com" marks Mandana Karimi’s B-Town debut. Reports have stated the Censor Board demanded 150 cuts for the sex-com before giving it an "A" certificate. 

If the ambition of every new sequel is to take the franchise to its next level, producer Ekta Kapoor’s bid to push the envelope on smutty humour, which trademarks the series, must have given Pahlaj Nihalani and his Censor Board nightmares this time.

Also read: Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 trailer is so bad it makes porn look like art

Raaz Rebooted

Vikram Bhatt directs Emraan Hashmi alongwith Kriti Kharbanda and Gaurav Arora.

Raaz is perhaps Bollywood’s only horror franchise that has a 100 per cent track record at the box-office. The series has adapted to shifting box-office tastes over more than a decade despite retaining the saleable mix of horror, sex, drama and music, which Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt set to order with the first film in 2001.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Raaz 4 bears shades of the Hollywood cult hit, The Omen. Incidentally, the first two of the series reminded of What Lies Beneath and The Ring 2.

While the Bhatts’ talismanic hero Emraan Hashmi is on board, budding stars Kriti Kharbanda and Gaurav Arora have joined the cast. The film is slated to open in June 2016. Reportedly, snow plays a vital part in the story and a major part will be shot in Romania.

Also read: 10 worst Bollywood films of 2015

Housefull 3

Farhad-Sajid direct Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Lisa Haydon and Jackie Shroff

Budding director duo Farhad-Sajid take over from Sajid Khan. That, however, should not alter much of the franchise’s nonsensical idiom considering Farhad-Sajid made their debut directing the equally ditsy Entertainment last year.

Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Jacqueline Fernandez had starred in the second film, and will be joined by Abhishek Bachchan, Nargis Fakhri and Lisa Haydon in the third. Jackie Shroff is slated to play a comic antagonist. As in the first two films, the story will revolve around the cast being caught in a bizarre situation inside a huge house while bawdy humour plays out.

Robot 2

Rajinikanth returns in Shankar’s film, co-starring Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson.

Said to be India’s most expensive film ever at a rumoured budget of over Rs 150 crore, blockbuster king Shankar has roped in the visual effects makers of The Revenant for the film’s CGI, after news that Bollywood superstar would play villain went viral on announcement.

Also read: My 10 favourite Indian films of 2015

Rajini’s favourite AR Rahman will compose the songs while Oscar winner Resool Pookutty is in charge of sound design. Amy Jackson has the glam job this time. Rajinikanth returns in his familiar double role of scientist Vasu and his robot creation Chitti, but of course there is a twist in their adventures in store.

Rock on!! 2

Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Shraddha Kapoor, Prachi Desai and Purab Kohli star in the Shujaat Saudagar film.

Bollywood’s very own rock flick saga moves to the Northeast this time, focussing on certain socio-political problems of that area, amid trademark headbanging and camaraderie.

For a Bollywood impact, there will be a bristling love story too, to create space for a personal conflict. Like in the 2008 film, Farhan is expected to write and sing a few songs this time.

(Courtesy Mail Today.)