For decades, Bollywood’s sequel formula seemed unbreakable: take a beloved hit, add a dash of nostalgia, toss in a star-studded cast, and watch the box office numbers soar. Yet, as the 2024-25 film season has shown, the magic of sequels isn’t what it used to be. With audiences growing ever more discerning and streaming platforms raising the bar for originality, even the biggest franchises are struggling to keep pace.
Nowhere is this shift more evident than in the case of War 2. The much-anticipated follow-up to Hrithik Roshan’s 2019 blockbuster stormed into theaters with sky-high expectations, boasting a cast that included Jr NTR and Kiara Advani and the promise of being the year’s biggest action spectacle. According to Times of India, War 2 has already crossed Rs 215 crore worldwide as of August 18, 2025. That’s no small feat, especially considering that it has already outpaced Roshan’s earlier hits like Kaabil, Super 30, and Vikram Vedha.
But here’s the rub: while War 2 is still in its theatrical run and may yet climb higher, it hasn’t quite matched the hysteria or box office staying power of its predecessor. The original War raked in a jaw-dropping Rs 475 crore, cementing Roshan’s reputation as Bollywood’s ultimate action hero. In contrast, the sequel’s performance, though impressive on paper, is being seen as a sign of changing times.
Sequels have long been Bollywood’s go-to safety net. The formula seemed foolproof: a hit film meant a built-in audience, familiar characters, and a brand that could draw crowds with minimal risk. As Times of India points out, “Sequels were once considered Bollywood’s safest bet but are no longer guaranteed successes as of August 19, 2025.”
In the past, some sequels have soared to unprecedented heights. Think of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, KGF Chapter 2, and Pushpa 2: The Fire, all of which were conceived as single stories split into two parts—an approach not often seen in Bollywood. These epics, alongside hits like Gadar 2, Tiger Zinda Hai, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, and Stree 2 (which earned over Rs 600 crore), proved that with the right mix of novelty, emotion, and spectacle, sequels could become cultural phenomena.
Yet, the last decade has also seen a string of high-profile misfires. Films like Welcome Back, Race 3, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara, and Dabangg 3 failed to live up to their predecessors, often hamstrung by weak scripts and a reliance on formula over freshness. Even the once-mighty Raaz and Yamla Pagla Deewana franchises fizzled out after repetitive, uninspired sequels.
The 2024-25 season was supposed to be a banner year for Bollywood sequels. Alongside War 2, audiences saw the release of Son of Sardaar 2 and Housefull 5, both of which banked heavily on brand recall and star power. But as Times of India reports, none of these films have managed to meet expectations. Son of Sardaar 2 couldn’t replicate the humor or scale of the original, while Housefull 5 failed to recapture the zany charm that made its predecessors hits. Even Indian 2, led by Kamal Haasan, was considered one of the biggest disappointments of 2024, casting doubt on the future of its franchise.
So what’s changed? For one, the audience. Viewers today are exposed to a world of content through streaming platforms, and their expectations have evolved dramatically. They’re no longer satisfied with recycled plots or lazy storytelling, even if a big star is attached. As the Times of India analysis notes, “Audience expectations have evolved due to global streaming content, leading to demand for novelty and strong storytelling.”
Brand fatigue is another culprit. With so many sequels flooding the market, the novelty of seeing a familiar character or storyline wears thin. Franchises that once guaranteed packed theaters now run the risk of overstaying their welcome. And, crucially, the days when star power alone could carry a film are fading fast. Today’s audiences demand quality scripts, compelling conflicts, and emotional depth.
Hrithik Roshan’s recent career arc offers a microcosm of these trends. After the emotional punch of Kaabil and the grounded storytelling of Super 30 (which earned Rs 208 crore), he soared to new heights with the original War. Even Fighter, marketed as India’s first big aerial action film, pulled in a respectable Rs 344 crore but didn’t quite reach the stratosphere fans had hoped for. Vikram Vedha, despite strong performances from Roshan and Saif Ali Khan, managed only Rs 135 crore, underscoring the limits of critical acclaim without mass appeal.
Now, with War 2 already surpassing several of his recent hits, the question lingers: can it outfly Fighter’s Rs 344 crore, or even challenge the original War’s monstrous Rs 475 crore run? Only time will tell, but the odds seem tougher than ever.
Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom for Bollywood sequels. When done right, they still have the power to captivate. Gadar 2 (2023) proved that nostalgia, when combined with a fresh narrative, can create box office gold. Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) expanded its universe with bigger action and scale, while Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) deepened its characters and conflicts to surpass the original both critically and commercially. Even Drishyam 2 and Bhool Bhuliyaa 2 found ways to honor their roots while offering something new.
Meanwhile, some franchises have struggled to maintain momentum. The Baaghi series started strong but stumbled with its third installment, and now faces heightened scrutiny as Baaghi 4 gears up for release in 2025. As the industry looks ahead, the lesson is clear: sequels can still work, but only if they bring genuine innovation to the table.
Ultimately, Bollywood’s love affair with sequels is far from over—but the rules of engagement have changed. Audiences are voting with their wallets for originality, substance, and storytelling that moves beyond mere nostalgia. For filmmakers and studios, the message couldn’t be clearer: the era of the automatic blockbuster sequel is over. The next chapter belongs to those willing to take risks and rewrite the script.
