Reloads galore!

Sequels of hit films have become a rage in the last decade. No surprise there really, as the formula is ready, the draw to recreate the success story is strong, a franchise always finds actors more easily because they always work, plus there is audience loyalty. Cinegoers love returning to familiar characters and worlds, there is a certain comfort in that.  So, like them or not, sequels will keep coming. In 2016, over a dozen films that are either sequels or triquels are slated for release. Some are in pre production, some at shooting stage, while still others  are just wishful thinking.  Here’s the lowdown on the ones that you can look forward to...      

Ghayal Once Again
Release date : January 15
Twenty five years after Ghayal, Sunny Deol is back with its sequel. The original one had Sunny playing a boxer and it was hailed for its gritty action and powerful dialogues. Considered one of the best action films ever, Sunny won an award for his performance in the film. The sequel was announced a few years ago, but it never took off as they couldn’t finalise the director — Raj Kumar Santoshi had helmed the original. Finally, Sunny himself decided to direct the film which has him in the lead role. The actor has roped in Hollywood action director Dan Bradley, who has worked in films like Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, the Bourne movies and Quantum of Solace to shoot his action sequences, which he says are raw and real. While the first one had the late Amrish Puri at his wily best as the villain, the sequel has a new set of actors except Om Puri who has been retained from the original. This one is definitely among the much-awaited sequels of the year.  

Kya Kool Hain Hum 3
Release date: January 22
Kya Kool Hai Hum was among the first films to start the trend of sex comedies back in 2005. The film starring Tusshar Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh despite being panned for its crude jokes, double meaning dialogues and suggestive scenes, went on to become a hit. Even the sequel made seven years after the first one was received well. The third in the franchise is coming three years after the second with a change in its lead hero. Riteish opted out of the film saying he did not want to be a part of sex comedies anymore. Aftaab Shivdasani stepped into his shoes. As for the heroines they have been changed in every installment. And, if you have seen the trailer you’ll know what to expect — more crudity, vulgarity and double entendre. After all, they are pitching it as India’s first porn-com! The trailer has already got 11 million hits and counting. Need we say more?

Tere Bin Laden Dead or Alive
Release date: February 19 
Tere Bin Laden was the sleeper hit of 2010. The satire on the world’s dreaded terrorist Osama Bin Laden starred newcomers — Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar and Pradhuman Singh. The wacky film about America’s obsession for the most wanted man was hilarious. Now that Laden is dead, the sequel has got the tag ‘dead or alive’ and will revolve around his execution and various theories floating around it. Manish Paul has taken over from Ali in the sequel while Padhuman continues to be Osama. The film was to release last October but has been pushed to this year. The director Abhishek Sharma calls it a spin-off more than a sequel as “the stories of the first film and the second are linked but not in continuity.” Interesting.

Rock On 2 
Release date: TBA
Four friends, a rock band and some good music — Rock On!! had Farhan Akhtar moving from behind the camera to face it. With an ensemble cast of Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny, the film won acclaim for its realistic and refreshing take on friendship. Seven years later, the team is back with another installment, albeit with some changes. Shraddha Kapoor has joined the team and will be seen crooning her songs too. Director Abhishek Kapoor has given way to Shujaat Saudagar. The first film had its heart in place, the sequel shouldn’t be any different.   

Jai Gangaajal
Release date: March 4
Now this is a first. A male actor being replaced by a female actor as the lead! Yes, Ajay Devgn played a cop in Gangaajal which was based on the Bhagalpur blinding incident, while Jai Gangaajal has Priyanka Chopra stepping into Ajay’s shoes. She will be seen fighting increasing corruption as well as gender inequality. Prakash Jha who usually does cameos in his directorial ventures is turning actor with a cop role giving company to PC in the film. No doubt, people will miss Ajay in the sequel but Priyanka’s turn as a cop should see her doing some kick ass action scenes. Definitely worth a dekko.

Great Grand Masti
Release date: TBA
Three friends up to some naughty and raunchy mischief is the gist of all the Masti films. Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi and Aftaab Shivdasani will be reprising their roles for the third time in the franchise. Only their girls change in every installment.  Masti that released in 2004 was among the first few adult comedies to have got good reviews and success at the box-office. The sequel Grand Masti with its outrageous lines and scandalous content was panned by critics but the makers laughed their way to the bank with the film grossing `100 crores making it the first adult comedy to enter the elite club. No wonder, the third film in the series is coming out just two years after the sequel. Should be perfect for those who relish bawdy jokes, innuendos and skin show.

Housefull 3
Release date: June 3
The comedy is loud and slapstick but it sure has you cracking up. Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh have perfect tuning with each other as the first two installments of the film have shown. John Abraham joined the duo in the second installment, but the humour continued to be over-the-top and daft. Yet the second installment did better than the first and the team is back with the third film in the series. John has given way to Abhishek Bachchan and director Sajid Khan is replaced with Sajid-Farhad who are known for penning the dialogue of entertainers like Double Dhamaal and Golmaal Returns. Hopefully, they will work the same magic in Housefull 3.   

Raaz  Rebooted
Release date: Not announced
This mystery thriller has been a successful franchise for Vishesh Films which is now coming out with the fourth film in the series. It set the ball rolling for pyscho-thrillers with melodious songs, scenic locales and bold intimate scenes. While the first one starred Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu, the next two films in the series had Emraan Hashmi playing the lead role. All the girls starring in the franchise have been sexy including Biapsha — she played the negative role in Raaz 3, Kangana Ranaut and Esha Gupta. The fourth installment will reportedly have south actress Kriti Kharbanda in the lead role and Emraan is rumoured to play the baddie in this one. The franchise has had a successful track-record at the box office, so won’t be surprising if this one follows suit. 

Force 2
Release date: November/December
The first one was a remake of South action film Khakha Khakha and fared well at the box-office. Before long, producer Vipul Shah announced a sequel, but John Abraham who played the lead role, initially said he was unaware about it and there seemed to have been some issues between them. All that got sorted out and the film finally went on floors last year with a new heroine, villain and director. While John will reprise his role as a cop, Sonakshi Sinha joins him as a RAW agent and Tahir Raj Bhasin of Mardaani fame will play the baddie. Abhinay Deo has taken over the directorial reins from Nishikant Kamat. To make it bigger and better than the first, the film is being shot in Budapest and China. Imre Juhasz, cinematographer of films like A Good Day To Die Hard and Spy, has been roped in for the film. The makers have certainly raised the expectations, now hope they deliver.

Hera Pheri 3
Release date: August
Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal — the trio  with their comic timing made this film a cult comedy. The success of Hera Pheri spawned a sequel Phir Hera Pheri which also went on to be a hit. Now, the third film in the series is being released but it has undergone major change. While Sunil and Paresh continue to reprise their roles, Akshay is missing in the third film. He played the roguish character Raju and in his place two characters named Raju Khabri and Raju Duplicate have been introduced in the form of Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham. No doubt, the brand is big, but will these two make up for the absence of Akshay? Let’s wait and watch.  

Tera Suroor 2
Release date: Not announced
Is it a song, is it an album or is it a film? Or it could be all rolled into one! With Himmesh Reshammiya anything is possible! Curiously this is the title of the sequel of his movie Aap Ka Suroor that marked his acting debut. A week ago, the singer-composer released the first look of Tera Suroor that has him flaunting his well-toned physique. The movie however has nothing to do with Aap Ka Suroor and has a completely new set of actors including Naseeruddin Shah, Shekhar Kapur, Monica Dogra, Kabir Bedi and Shernaz Patel. 

Baahubali 2
Release date: December
The first one ended on a tantalising note with Katappa about to reveal why he killed Baahubali. When ‘The End’ board came up, everyone in the theatre was disappointed, but were soon assured of a sequel. Still, you’ll have to wait till December to find out the truth. With spectacular visuals and amazing VFX, this fantasy film was a game-changer in many ways. It was the first dubbed Hindi film to cross `100crore at the box-office and made over `500 crores worldwide. Baahubali 2, hands down, is the most-awaited sequel. Can’t wait.

Others
Commando 2
Release date: Not announced
The first one more than anything else showcased Vidyut Jammwal’s beefy bod and his daredevil stunts to the hilt. Nevertheless, all that adrenaline-pumping action found takers and the actor is back with the sequel. While the first was directed by Dilip Ghosh, part two is helmed by Deven Bhojani. 

Namaste England
Release date: Not announced
The first film Namastey London starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif released in 2007. Though the makers of Namaste England are claiming that it has nothing to do with the original and that it’s not a sequel, fact is Akshay stars in it. The heroine is yet to be finalised.