As Bollywood evolves, a clear trend emerges that promises to shape its future: franchises. This movement gained significant momentum earlier this week, when Dinesh Vijan, the man behind Maddock Films, announced an ambitious slate of eight films in his horror-comedy universe, set to release over the next couple of years. This universe will expand with intriguing titles like Shakti Shalini and Chamunda, culminating in an epic multiverse showdown titled Mahayudh.
The Maddock Revolution: A Landmark Year in 2024
In 2024,Dinesh Vijan delivered a trio of blockbusters: Stree 2, Munjya, and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. These films solidified his reputation as a powerhouse of innovative storytelling. Known for pioneering the horror-comedy genre with the 2018 hit Stree, his company’s uncanny ability to create simple, yet captivating narratives filled with unforgettable characters and dialogues has resonated deeply with audiences.
With his new slate, he is doubling down on its cinematic universe, setting a bold benchmark for Indian cinema. Spanning the next four years, this visionary narrative will culminate in Mahayudh, a two-part saga bringing together superheroes from Maddock’s horror-comedy universe. This endeavor promises to redefine the genre and scale of Bollywood films, pushing boundaries and raising expectations.Dinesh Vijan’s is not the only universe that is making the big leap, we already have
Aditya Chopra’s Spy Universe which has War 2 with Hrithik Roshan, Kiara Advani and NTR Jr in the making along with Alpha which stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari with plans already in place for Pathaan 2 and Pathaan VS Tiger. Besides, there is also Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Universe with names like VIkram, Leo , Kaithi and few more. And post the success of Hanu-Man, Tejja Sajja and
Prashanth Varma
are building the Hanuman universe with their second film starring Rishabh Shetty, and Nag Ashwin is already working on Kalki 2898 AD universe.
The Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe: Upcoming Releases
Maddock’s slate reveals an intricately planned interconnected universe. Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming:
2025
- Thama (Diwali)
- Shakti Shalini (December 31st)
2026
- Bhediya 2 (August 14th)
- Chamunda (December 4th)
2027
- Stree 3 (August 13th)
- Mahamunjya (December 24th)
2028
- Pehla Mahayudh (August 11th)
- Doosara Mahayudh (Diwali, October 18th)
Each film builds upon the success of its predecessors, weaving together a narrative that is as engaging as it is expansive. These interconnected stories aim to culminate in a grand finale that mirrors the scale and ambition of global cinematic universes.
Lessons from Hollywood: The Franchise Model
To understand Bollywood’s franchise revolution, one need only look at Hollywood. Exhibitor Vishek Chauhan narrates a pivotal moment: “Something drastic happened in Hollywood in 2008. Iron Man outperformed everything, ending the era of original films. Disney realized the potential of franchises and universes, axing medium and small-budget films in favor of tentpole productions.”
“ This shift transformed Hollywood’s business model. Studios like Disney abandoned the traditional approach of producing a mix of big, medium, and small-budget films, opting instead for 12 massive tentpole releases annually. This strategy not only maximized box office returns, but also created enduring franchises that kept audiences returning for more” he added.
He also claims that the future of our industry is franchises and soon one would get to see about 30 to 40 franchise films every year.
India’s box office trends reflect a similar shift. Out of the top 10 grossing films, six are sequels: Pushpa, Baahubali, Stree, KGF, Pathaan, and Gadar. These films exemplify the growing audience preference for interconnected narratives and larger-than-life storytelling.
The COVID Catalyst: Accelerating the Franchise Era
The pandemic served as a catalyst for this transformation in India. With theaters shuttered and streaming services booming, audiences gravitated towards high-concept, big-budget productions that promised escapism and spectacle. As cinemas reopened, it became clearer that audiences wanted larger than life drama on the big screen, while high concept or niche movies can now be released to OTT platforms. And with the cost of film making increasing many folds, it is the franchises and sequels which became the safe bet for filmmakers thus ensuring a good return on investment.
The Impact on Bollywood
The rise of franchises marks a paradigm shift for Bollywood. Here’s how this trend is shaping the industry:
- Box Office Dominance: Franchises guarantee high footfalls. Sequels and interconnected films build on the success of their predecessors, ensuring a steady stream of revenue.
- Audience Loyalty: Franchises create a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates each new installment, driving repeat viewership.
- Global Appeal: With interconnected narratives and grand scales, franchises have the potential to attract international audiences, expanding Bollywood’s global footprint.
- Sustainable Ecosystem: By investing in franchises, studios like Maddock Films can create a self-sustaining ecosystem of films, merchandise, and spin-offs, ensuring long-term profitability.
Challenges Ahead
While the franchise model holds immense promise, it’s not without challenges:Marvel, which has been the pioneer of the connected universe, faced an uphill battle post Avengers : Endgame and the exist of Russo Brothers. For many years, films and web shows which created the universe, tanked miserably thus making people losing faith in the format. The creative heads at Marvel and Disney had to bring back
Robert Downey Jr
and Russo Brothers to revive the entire Universe. And for the first time the directors will also be serving as the producer of the films. Here are the challenges that plague franchises…
- Creative Fatigue: Maintaining originality and freshness in interconnected films is a daunting task.
- High Stakes: Big-budget franchises come with significant financial risks. A single failure can derail an entire universe.
- Audience Expectations: As franchises grow, so do audience expectations. Delivering consistently engaging stories becomes increasingly challenging.
- Overcrowded Market: With multiple studios jumping on the franchise bandwagon, the market risks becoming oversaturated.
A Bright Future for Bollywood
Despite these challenges, the future of Bollywood looks brighter than ever. Franchises offer a unique opportunity to revolutionize Indian cinema, bringing it on par with global standards. Maddock Films’ ambitious horror-comedy universe is a testament to this potential.
