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THIRD TIME LUCKY!
Get set for the release of third instalments of several hit film franchises in the year 2018
Three may be a crowd when it comes to relaxed socialising, but three seems to be the lucky number for several Bollywood franchises, which are set to roll out their third films in 2018 — some of these will be released next year, and some will go on the floors.
The ones that have been announced include Total Dhamaal, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, and Race 3. There are a few more in the pipeline, such as Dabangg 3, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, Gangs of Wasseypur 1.5, and Munnabhai 3.
Why are there so many franchise films lined up for the year? Bollywood producer Prernaa Arora gives the reasons as shortage of content and actors having become selective about work. “It’s like, just because someone else has made it, I should also try it,” she says. “And film-makers know that some actor would be attracted to it, because there’s a power value of the previous film in the franchise. There’s a clear trend — as it was [for] biopics and comedy films; then, everyone was after comedy films, and now, cashing in on franchise films is the fad.”
FAILSAFE OR NOT?
Though the tried-and-tested formula of sequels has worked for a long time, a third (or fourth) instalment has a lot more at stake, in terms of box-office expectations.
Industry experts feel that if a film is made with the right intention and has the right brand value, it’ll work. Trade analyst Komal Nahta says that it’s the acceptance from a wide range of viewers that paves the way for franchise films. “But that doesn’t mean every sequel works. It has to generate the right kind of hype. You can’t rest on past laurels, so your trailer, songs and cast have to appeal a great deal when it’s time for the next [franchise] film to release,” he says.
THE COMMON THREA
Franchise films always ha some common elements th people remember, so keep them intact in the plot line brings viewers back. Rem D’Souza, director of Race explains, “As a film-make have to ensure that the audiences have that reca [from the previous films and, at the same time, they should see something new. You can’t just turn around and do something drastically different. You have to stick to what people have liked and, in that space, you have to come out with a creative story.”
‘WHAT NEXT’ HYPE
The buzz around the third instalment is also based on people’s curiosity to see what happens next, which puts a lot of pressure on the filmmakers. “When coming out with part three, we have to bring a new angle in terms of story, characters, and dialogues. The audience wants to see bigger characters and a more interesting storyline. Once a film has become a hit, the next time, film-makers focus more on minting money; but if you make a good film [again], you will make money out of it,” says Zeishan Quadri, writer of Gangs of Wasseypur Part I and II, and director of Gangs of Wasseypur 1.5.
TRADE UP
Most of these third films have replaced the lead actor. For instance, Sanjay Dutt has opted out of t series, making way for Ajay Devgn and Anil Kapoor. Race 3 will no longer have Saif Ali Khan, as Salman Khan is the fresh entrant. And in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, Randeep Hooda’s place has been taken by Dutt.
Nahta says, “You can’t take the risk of getting a lesser star, as people tend to associate a lead actor with that franchise. But if you get a bigger star than the original [actor], then even the audiences are okay [with it].”