Kahaani 2, the last of the sequels in 2016, has released. The film has done fairly well, but it’s nowhere close to the figures expected right from the very first day. Although, the fate of the Sujoy Ghosh film starring Vidya Balan and Arjun Rampal flick is slightly better than the other sequels released this year.
Hit Housefull
“2016 has been so horrible for sequels that even a decent outcome of Kahaani 2 is fair enough,” says a trade expert, “Just look at the manner in which sequels like Rock On 2, Tum Bin 2, Raaz Reboot, Force 2, Ghayal Once Again and Great Grand Masti folded this year. They couldn’t even do half the business of what the last installment had done. There is only one clear hit (Housefull 3) among sequels with the majority turning out to be flops and disasters, it is high time that the entire business model behind sequels is re-looked at.”
Sequels needed?
The impact has been felt most when it comes to expensive sequels. “It is one thing if a film doesn’t live up to expectations and doesn’t perform, totally another when a film doesn’t even open well, despite the sequel/franchise tag attached to it. When you are not even doing better than your predecessor even on the opening day, it is quite apparent that it was a fallacy to even bring a sequel on floors. Clearly, audiences are not interested,” the trade expert adds.
Not interested
In certain cases, the theatrical promo itself sealed the fate for the film. “Tum Bin 2 is a clear example of the audience just not being interested. Also, Tere Bin Laden - Dead or Alive. Audiences didn’t even bother to check these films out,” points out a trade analyst. The biggest difference in the opening day collections of a sequel with its predecessor was evidenced in case of Great Grand Masti and Raaz Reboot. Grand Masti opened at Rs 12.5 crore while Great Grand Masti did just Rs 2.5 crore. That’s a difference of Rs 10 crore. No other sequel in history has underperformed to such an extent. Raaz Reboot, too, had a similar fate.
The maximum growth evidenced by a sequel was in Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Housefull 3 (Rs 15.2 crore) which brought in Rs 1.5 crore more than the last in the series.
Sequels lined up for 2017
Hopefully, 2017 will be better for sequels. The year begins with Jolly LLB 2 and the Akshay Kumar-starrer is expected to open much better than Arshad Warsi’s Jolly LLB (Rs 3 crore). For the sequel trend to continue, Commando 2 and Sarkar 3, which release immediately after, need to do well. Then there is the prequel to Baby, Naam Shabana. “The ‘baap’ of them all is going to be Baahubali 2 — The Conclusion, though, which should bring back the respect and credibility that a quality sequel should ideally boast of,” says a prominent filmmaker, “Then, of course, there are big-ticket sequels like Golmaal 4 and Judwaa 2. These will be big for sure but then need to be blockbusters in order to warrant further sequels. As for a film which should give good enough ‘takkar’ to Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion for the crown of best sequel of 2017, it is going to be Robot 2.0.” Thankfully, there is much to look forward to before 2017 comes to a close, what with Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai coming after Ek Tha Tiger.
HOW THEY FARED
Day One collections of sequels and their predecessors, and then the lifetime and verdict of the sequels
Better than last in the series
Housefull 2 [13.7 crore] and Housefull 3 [15.2 crore] - Difference: +1.5 crore [Lifetime collections: 109 crore. Verdict: Hit]
Kahaani [3 crore] and Kahaani 2 [4.25 crore] - Difference: +1.25 crore [Lifetime collections: Awaited. Verdict: Awaited]
Force [5 crore] and Force 2 [6.05 crore] - Difference: +1.05 crore [Lifetime collections: 40 crore. Verdict: Below average]
Kya Super Kool Hain Hum [7.12 crore] and Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 [8.15 crore] - Difference: +1.03 crore [Lifetime collections: 31 crore. Verdict: Flop]
Tum Bin [0.20 crore] and Tum Bin 2 [0.60 crore] - Difference: +0.40 crore [Lifetime collections: 3.5 crore. Verdict: Flop]
Rock On [1.75 crore] and Rock On 2 [2.02 crore] - Difference: +0.27 crore [Lifetime collections: 11.5 crore. Verdict: Disaster]
Worse than the last in the series
Grand Masti [12.5 crore] and Great Grand Masti [2.5 crore] - Difference: -10 crore [Lifetime collections: 14 crore. Verdict: Disaster]
Raaz 3 [10.25 crore] and Raaz Reboot [6.3 crore] - Difference: -3.95 crore [Lifetime collections: 30 crore. Verdict: Flop]
1920 Evil Returns [4 crore] and 1920 London [2.5 crore] - Difference: -1.5 crore [Lifetime collections: 15 crore. Verdict: Below average]
Tere Bin Laden [0.75 crore] and Tere Bin Laden - Dead or Alive [0.75 crore] - Difference: 0 crore [Lifetime collections: 3.35 crore. Verdict: Disaster]
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