Bollywood’s Sequel Woes, Is South Indian Cinema the Answer to Their Dry Spell?

With a sluggish box office since the COVID-19 pandemic, Bollywood is looking to South Indian cinema for inspiration. With upcoming sequels and major projects, is this the beginning of a Bollywood renaissance?

Bollywood, once the vibrant pulse of Indian cinema, has been experiencing a dry spell since the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic’s impact on the theatrical movie business, coupled with the relentless rise of South Indian blockbusters, has made it challenging for Bollywood’s biggest stars to maintain their box office clout. Notable actors like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar have seen their films underperform, with recent examples including Ajay Devgn’s “Maidaan” and Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff’s “Bade Miya Chote Miya.”

Given these setbacks, it’s no surprise that Bollywood is turning to South Indian cinema for inspiration. As Taran Adarsh points out in his recent article on Bollywood Hungama, South Indian films featuring stars like Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, Kamal Haasan, and Suriya are making waves at the box office, compelling Bollywood to rethink its strategy .

Also read: Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, and More: South Indian Stars to Revive Bollywood Box Office

One clear indication of this shift is the distribution deals for upcoming South Indian films like Allu Arjun’s “Pushpa,” Jr. NTR’s “Devara,” and Ram Charan’s untitled project, distributed by Bollywood heavyweights like Karan Johar and AA Films. This strategic alliance suggests that Bollywood recognizes the draw of South Indian cinema and is betting on it to turn the tide in their favor.

Meanwhile, Bollywood’s sequel culture has faced significant challenges. The promised sequels or universe-building projects from films like “Brahmastra” or the recently announced reboot of the “Don” franchise starring Ranveer Singh have faced backlash and delays. Ranveer Singh’s new direction for “Don” was met with mixed reactions, with Shah Rukh Khan fans voicing their discontent.

However, there’s still hope for Bollywood. The upcoming sequels and franchise projects offer a glimmer of optimism. Hrithik Roshan’s “War 2,” part of YRF’s Spy Universe, features South Indian star Jr. NTR and has gained considerable traction. Ajay Devgn’s “Singham Again,” part of Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe, is slated for an August 2024 release and has also drawn attention. Yet, other highly anticipated sequels like “Stree 2” and the long-delayed “Hera Pheri 3” have kept fans waiting with bated breath.

As South Indian films continue to dominate with upcoming releases like Prabhas’s “Kalki 2898 AD,” Allu Arjun’s “Pushpa Part 2: The Rule,” and Jr. NTR’s “Devara,” Bollywood’s path forward remains uncertain. The real question is whether Bollywood can learn from South India’s success and adapt its strategies to meet changing audience demands. Only time will tell how these trends will reshape the future of Indian cinema.