TRIED AND TESTED
As Ajay Devgn readies to start work on the fourth instalment of the Golmaal franchise, we look at other big stars who also return to their hit film’s series
Come Diwali 2017 and Ajay Devgn will be seen in the fourth instalment of his successful comedy franchise, Golmaal 4, directed by Rohit Shetty. Interestingly, not just Ajay, a number of other big stars are also set to return to their blockbuster franchises.
THE BIG LINE-UP
While Ram Gopal Varma is back with Amitabh Bachchan for Sarkar 3, Rakesh Roshan has announced the next instalment of his superhero franchise, Krrish 4. Interestingly, Roshan got the idea for the film, thanks to Ganeshotsav. “My wife (Pinky Roshan) showed me a picture of Lord Ganesha dressed liked Krrish. It was a tweet that she had received. It gave me the confidence to believe that people are still interested in the series,” says Roshan.
On the anvil is Dabangg 3, the shoot for which is likely to start next year and will again be helmed by Arbaaz Khan. Also, Housefull 4 is apparently already being planned by filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala. Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra are supposed to star in the third instalment of Aashiqui (1990) and Rajkumar Hirani is likely to take up Munnabhai 3 after wrapping up the Sanjay Dutt biopic.
“The idea of the script is ready, and Raju (Hirani) has mentioned the film’s idea to me. I love it. In fact, I wish Munna Bhai Chale Amerika (that was planned after the 2006 film Lage Raho Munna Bhai but then got shelved) was made. It had a brilliant concept. But yes, Munna Bhai 3 will be made,” says Arshad Warsi, who plays Circuit in the hit franchise.
THE SAFE BET
But is it a great idea to work on the tried-and-tested franchises? “Surely, such franchises have an immediate recall value, but the world over, makers continue only till they are successful at the box office. So, the idea should be to use the brand correctly with quality films and not misuse the franchise, just for the sake of it,” says trade analyst Amod Mehra. Actor-film-maker Farhan Akhtar, who recently starred in Rock On 2, feels “it was amazing [to work on the sequel] because things were familiar.” He adds, “It is like you have lived in a house on rent for three years and then moved out. But if you go back to the same place after eight years, you kind of know where everything is — from switches the fans. So, the basic blueprint of the space that the film is set in remains the same.”
At the same time, a number of franchises such as Raaz (2002), Murder (2004), Masti (2008), 1920 (2008) and Kya Kool Hain Hum (2005) have failed to soar at the box office. “Nowadays, people are smart and know that they are being fooled with such franchises, so like with any other film, it should be well made,” says Mehra.
The idea should be to use the brand correctly with quality films and not misuse the franchise. AMOD MEHRA, TRADE ANALYST The idea of the script is ready, and Raju (Hirani; director) has mentioned the film’s idea to me. I love it. ARSHAD WARSI, ACTOR