By The Evolution of Bollywood: How Franchises Are Shaping the Future of Indian Cinema
Bollywood is undergoing a transformation, with franchises emerging as a dominant trend shaping its future. This movement gained traction recently when Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films announced a slate of eight films in his horror-comedy universe, culminating in a grand multiverse finale titled Mahayudh.
In 2024, Maddock Films delivered blockbusters like Stree 2, Munjya, and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, cementing Vijan’s reputation for innovative storytelling. Known for pioneering the horror-comedy genre with Stree in 2018, Vijan now aims to redefine Bollywood’s scale and narrative through interconnected films releasing over the next four years. The universe will conclude with the two-part saga Mahayudh, bringing together its superheroes.
The Maddock slate includes titles like Thama (2025), Bhediya 2 (2026), Stree 3 (2027), and Mahayudh (2028), each expanding the narrative and setting a benchmark for Indian cinema.
This shift mirrors Hollywood’s franchise model, which gained momentum in 2008 with the success of Iron Man. Hollywood studios, like Disney, transitioned to producing fewer but larger tentpole films annually, maximizing returns and audience engagement. Similarly, Bollywood is seeing a rise in sequels and interconnected stories, with six of its top 10 grossing films being franchises, such as Pushpa and Baahubali.
The pandemic accelerated this trend, with audiences seeking larger-than-life cinematic experiences post-lockdown. Franchises became a safe bet for filmmakers, ensuring good returns amid rising production costs.
While franchises guarantee box office success, audience loyalty, and global appeal, challenges like creative fatigue, financial risks, and audience expectations remain. Yet, this trend presents a promising future for Bollywood. Maddock Films’ ambitious universe exemplifies how franchises can elevate Indian cinema to global standards.
