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Mumbai - A glut of Bollywood sequels are due out in the coming months, prompting questions about whether the industry has run out of ideas or is just milking a successful formula in troubled times.
More than a dozen follow-ups are in the pipeline, including Bheja Fry 2 (Brain Fry), a second Dabangg (Fearless), a third in the Dhoom franchise and another instalment of the Golmaal series.
Shah Rukh Khan is also getting in on the act, with a sequel due out by the end of the year of his hit Don. The action film, in which the actor reportedly does his own stunts, is currently in post-production.
Hollywood trends
Bollywood studios are increasingly desperate for a money-spinner, with box office takings in the Indian film industry as a whole down for the last two years and the lack of original, quality script-writing a common complaint.
But Bheja Fry 2 director Sagar Ballary rejected the notion that follow-ups are an easy option - and said success was not guaranteed.
"Every film stands on its own. Whether it's a sequel or not, the film has to be good to work."
Bollywood, which is increasingly following Hollywood trends in filmmaking and marketing, has not been averse to sequels in the past.
'You reap what you sow'
"If I have created a brand, why should I be apologetic about making money on it? You reap what you sow, right?" Shetty was quoted as saying in the Hindustan Times newspaper recently.
Bollywood producer Arbaaz Khan, who will direct Dabangg 2, said the film was at the scripting stage and hopes that it will live up to audiences' expectations.
For all their insistence on artistic integrity, Khan, Ballary and other filmmakers admit that financial factors are important.
With the "brand" already known, less has to be spent on marketing and success is more likely, the argument goes.
"Producers are demanding because for them it's good business," said Ballary. "They know sequels will surely recover the cost of the box office because of the success of part one and there's not much to lose.
"There are many scripts and good story ideas in the market but producers don't want to risk new ideas and they feel it's safe to work with a sequel because audiences like it."
Khan added: "The pressure to deliver a hit is bigger because people will surely have greater expectations."
More than a dozen follow-ups are in the pipeline, including Bheja Fry 2 (Brain Fry), a second Dabangg (Fearless), a third in the Dhoom franchise and another instalment of the Golmaal series.
Shah Rukh Khan is also getting in on the act, with a sequel due out by the end of the year of his hit Don. The action film, in which the actor reportedly does his own stunts, is currently in post-production.
Hollywood trends
Bollywood studios are increasingly desperate for a money-spinner, with box office takings in the Indian film industry as a whole down for the last two years and the lack of original, quality script-writing a common complaint.
But Bheja Fry 2 director Sagar Ballary rejected the notion that follow-ups are an easy option - and said success was not guaranteed.
"Every film stands on its own. Whether it's a sequel or not, the film has to be good to work."
Bollywood, which is increasingly following Hollywood trends in filmmaking and marketing, has not been averse to sequels in the past.
'You reap what you sow'
"If I have created a brand, why should I be apologetic about making money on it? You reap what you sow, right?" Shetty was quoted as saying in the Hindustan Times newspaper recently.
Bollywood producer Arbaaz Khan, who will direct Dabangg 2, said the film was at the scripting stage and hopes that it will live up to audiences' expectations.
For all their insistence on artistic integrity, Khan, Ballary and other filmmakers admit that financial factors are important.
With the "brand" already known, less has to be spent on marketing and success is more likely, the argument goes.
"Producers are demanding because for them it's good business," said Ballary. "They know sequels will surely recover the cost of the box office because of the success of part one and there's not much to lose.
"There are many scripts and good story ideas in the market but producers don't want to risk new ideas and they feel it's safe to work with a sequel because audiences like it."
Khan added: "The pressure to deliver a hit is bigger because people will surely have greater expectations."
