Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
BOLLYWOOD’S SUPERHIT FRANCHISE FORMULA
As Golmaal Again scores big and Housefull 4 is announced, we take a look at what makes movie series so bankable
What do Housefull (2010), Singham (2011) and Golmaal (2006) have in common? Well, besides being big hits at the box office, these potboilers also spawned three of Bollywood’s most successful franchises. The recently released Golmaal Again has become the biggest moneyspinner in the franchise, while director Sajid Khan is back to helm the fourth film in the Housefull series, starring Akshay Kumar.
It wasn’t the case in the past years, but Bollywood seems to have developed a knack for coming up with and sustaining hit franchises. What’s more, a number of top stars are also choosing roles in blockbuster franchises. The list includes, Ajay Devgn, who headlines the Singham and Golmaal series; Akshay, who has franchises such as Housefull, Hera Pheri, and Khiladi to his name; and Salman Khan, who has the Dabangg and Tiger series.
Actor Hrithik Roshan is credited with creating Bollywood’s own superhero franchise, Krrish. Then, Sanjay Dutt is the face of the Munna Bhai series; and the Deols have come up with the Yamla Pagla Deewana films.
Other successful franchises in Bollywood include Race, Welcome, Dhoom, and Sarkar.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says, “The big reasons [why franchises have become popular] are tremendous recall value and high entertainment quotient. When a franchise becomes a brand, people can easily associate with it.” Referring to Varun Dhawan’s sequel to Salman’s 1997 hit, Judwaa, Adarsh adds, “It wouldn’t be surprising if Judwaa 3 is also announced in a few years’ time.”
Actors admit that “over time, franchises become brands”. Ajay says, “You can only make a franchise work when the characters in the film work well. When you rework a script, everything changes and it excites you again. [The Golmaal series] is a brand that people love.”
Hrithik is looking forward to shooting for Krrish 4. “I’m happy about the fact that dad (Rakesh Roshan) is excited to make it, because I think [the franchise] deserves one more part,” he says.