Heard of ‘insta-sequels’?

Got a hit, make a sequel: This seems to be the mantra in Bollywood these days. But unlike the long wait to think about making a sequel as was the usual norm, filmmakers are now announcing sequels within a week of the film’s release. And instead of the long wait for several years, sequels are now being dished out within a few months’ time from the prequel. Sajid Khan’s Houseful 2 is already on floors, while Milan Luthria’s sequel to Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai has also been announced. Arbaaz Khan has confirmed that Dabangg 2 is in the offing, and Rohit Shetty’s already working on the fourth installment of his Golmaal. Vashu Bhagnani is apparently planning a sequel to F.A.L.T.U, as is Anees Bazmee to Thank You.

Trade analysts feel that making sequels already provide a strong foundation to start the film on. “If a film’s worked, then it’s easier for filmmakers to take forth the characters along the same lines,instead of hunting for new storylines altogether,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Sajid feels that the attraction in making a sequel lies in the fact that the film has hit a chord with the audiences and they want to see more of it. “Also there was so much more we had wanted to add in Houseful, but couldn’t, so the ideas are in place already and it’s best to go for it while it’s still hot in the minds of the audiences and the curiosity is there,” says the film-maker.

Director Abhinav Kashyap says that some films lend themselves naturally to a sequel and as long as it’s not a forced effort, the film will attract the initial crowds for sure.

“Of course the expectations are higher the second time around, but as long as you have good content, that much pressure is good to have,” says the director of Dabangg.

Rohit, whose film Golmaal has been the most successful Bollywood franchisee so far agrees and says, “A sequel has to be a natural progression. You definitely cannot set out making a film keeping sequels in mind, but if the story lends itself then it’s an obvious thing to do.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, head honcho of a production house feels that it’s a positive trend for sure and a win-win situation for film-makers as well as the audiences. Revealing that there are two factors that work in the favour of producing sequels, he says, “First of all we don’t have to invest once again in creating a brand and secondly, if you know that the story lends itself to a sequel, it automatically increases the viability of the project.” He however does add that the content is finally the decisive factor, sequel or not.