Sequels make good money – Vikram Bhatt

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart… Even before we speak about the challenges involved in making a sequel, it is imperative to understand the reasons behind the decision of making one. Personally, I think the filmmaker is encouraged into making sequels because his film has been received well by the audience.

The basic challenge is not in the story writing, as it is to be able to retain the sensational element which has contributed to the film's success. What I mean by sensational is that the maker has to retain the key elements which had caught the fancy of the audience. Speaking about my film, Raaz, it contained all the prerequisites of being successful- music, sensuality, horror and love- in the right proportion. So when the sequels of Raaz were made, the audience was more interested in knowing how the story has been taken forward, rather than knowing whether the film starred Dino Morea, Bipasha Basu or Ashutosh Rana.

While it is tough to carry the story forward, certain factors like marketing of the film become easier because of an already established audience. For example I found it very difficult to market the film Ankur Arora Murder Case, which was a medical thriller than it was the market the film, 1920 Evil Returns. When you mention 1920, the audience is aware the sequel will also talk about possession, horror, exorcism, as they have seen the earlier film.

The trend of converting a hit film into a franchise has caught the fancy of Indian filmmakers. In Hollywood too several sequels of a film are made. But the difference is that while in Hollywood, the sequels normally take the story forward; in India we tend to retain the basic elements of the original story. For example, although the Munnabhai series was quite different in terms of story, the basic character that of Munnabhai and Circuit were retained. The only difference in the film being Gracy Singh played the romantic lead opposite Sanjay Dutt in the first part of the film, while the sequel had Vidya Balan opposite the hero. Ever the Golmaal and Murder series were able to create a sensation in their own way.

It is however difficult to please the audience at all times. Skyfall, received a mixed response from the audience. Personally, I feel sequels are a sure shot way of making good money.

Screen India

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more