Bollywood's Sequel Craze: Shortcut to Success or Creative Dead End?

• Bollywood is increasingly relying on sequels like Border 2, Stree 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, indicating a 'sequel culture' as a new 'earning mantra'.
• Nostalgia is a major driver for sequel success, with films like Gadar 2 leveraging audience's emotional connection to past characters and stories.
• Filmmakers prefer sequels due to lower risk and higher potential returns, as they offer a 'ready-made foundation' and reduced marketing effort.
• However, brand value alone isn't enough; films like Baaghi 4 and Radhe failed due to weak scripts, proving that novelty is crucial for audience engagement.
• Beyond sequels, Bollywood is exploring 'spin-offs' and 'crossovers' like Yash Raj's Spy Universe and Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe to expand franchises.

Why It Matters: Bollywood's sequel trend offers lower risk and leverages nostalgia, but success hinges on balancing brand with fresh storytelling.