From 'Kantara 2' and 'Indian 2' to 'Pushpa 2' and 'Jana Gana Man 2', South India is gearing up for the release of a slew of franchises.
Prequels and sequels from south India. (Twitter)
Movie lovers in South India eagerly await the release of more sequels and prequels as filmmakers are turning these into franchises.
Though the trend of making sequels of popular films existed for long in the Indian film industry, especially down South, it picked up pace following the humongous success of Baahubali (2015) and KGF (2018), which were made in two parts.
Since then, several “star” films are hitting the screens in multiple parts. Interestingly, some have taken the other direction — as prequels.
With more such franchise films on the cards, let’s take a quick look into some of the highly-anticipated sequels and prequels from the South Indian film Industry which have rightly ruled the roost since the emergence of Baahubali.
Hombale Films’ KGF series directed by Prashant Neel, starring Rocking Star Yash aka Rocky Bhai, changed the course of the Kannada film industry, showing it could come up pan-India productions.
A poster of ‘Kantara’. (hombalefilms/ Twitter)
The subsequent success from the same banner, titled Kantara (2022) by actor-director Rishab Shetty, has brought more laurels to its makers and more so to Sandalwood for its content that was widely appreciated by many.
Interestingly, Kantara was never made as a Pan-India film, but its stupendous success turned it into a phenomenon that has made the filmmaker announce Kantara 2.
Rishab Shetty is now busy with the pre-production works which are in full swing. In fact, according to its makers, Kantara 2 would be a prequel to Kantara.
‘KGF Part 1’. (Hombale/ Twitter)
While there is no official announcement yet about the third chapter of the KGF series, the makers recently released a video of KGF 2 (2022) on the occasion of the first anniversary of KGF. It piqued interest among the fans that there might be another chapter in the making.
However, the makers neither denied nor admitted anything about KGF 3.
This apart, Bhairathi Ranagal, a prequel to Karunada Chakravarthy Dr Shiva Rajkumar’s Mufti (2017) is on the cards.
Though R Chandru’s directorial Kabzaa (2023) failed to do any magic, the end credit of the film announced a sequel titled Kabzaa 2.
Similarly, director Nagshekar recently announced Sanju Weds Geetha 2, a sequel to the hit film Sanju Weds Geetha (2011) that featured Ramya and Srinagara Kitty in the lead.
Also, Kirik Party 2, a probable sequel to Kirik Party (2016) directed by Risbah Shety has also been in the news lately.
The fans and film critics are eagerly waiting for the next instalment of several franchises in Tamil. Check out the list here:
Kamal Hassan in ‘Indian 2’. (ikamalhassan/ Twitter)
Director Shankar’s Indian 2, the sequel to his immensely popular Indian (1996) — released almost 27 years ago and went on to become a blockbuster — is one of the most-awaited films in Kollywood.
The action entertainer, which had Kamal Haasan playing the role of a vigilante intent on rooting out corruption, was a phenomenal hit back then. There was little doubt that a sequel to it would be made.
However, making the sequel hasn’t been easy. A series of stoppages have delayed the release of Indian 2. The shooting came to a grinding halt due to a mishap that took place on the sets. The accident left three people dead and over 10 injured.
By the time the team came to terms with the tragedy, Covid-19 had struck and the shooting had to be put on the backburner again. Later, disagreements erupted between the director, producers, and the actor.
All of these were finally sorted out in August last year and the shoot resumed. It now looks like Indian 2 has finally been completed and is ready for release.
Dhanush in ‘Vada Chennai’. (dhanushkraja/ Twitter)
Another eagerly-awaited sequel in Tamil is director Vetrimaran’s Vada Chennai 2, featuring Dhanush in the lead. It was made amply clear right at the start that Vada Chennai (2018) would have three parts.
The first part stood out for its gripping narration and refreshingly new style of storytelling, automatically triggering expectations over the next two parts.
Though the unit hasn’t officially announced it yet, sources in the know say that the second part is a prequel and will be titled Rajan Vagaira.
Rajan Vagaira will focus on the life story of Rajan, an important character played by director Ameer in the first part of Vada Chennai.
Actor Ken Karunas, who played Dhanush’s son in his critically acclaimed superhit film Asuran (2019), plays the young Rajan in Rajan Vagaira.
Director PS Mithran’s Sardar (2022), featuring actor Karthi in the lead, was such a blockbuster that it prompted its makers to announce a sequel.
While the first part had Karthi playing the dual roles of a RAW agent, who had turned rogue and his son, a cop, intent on undoing the damage his father had done to his reputation, the second part will have the son turning a spy for the Indian government and heading to Cambodia.
Tollywood stars going global is not the headline these days. They’re being weighed by the number of franchises.
Yes, the trend of franchises is slowly making inroads in Tollywood with producers boasting big about their franchise projects which give a distinctive look to their market cap.
And filmmakers, too, don’t want to limit their stories to be told in one single part.
If a film is being rolled out on a massive scale, heavy budget, and a big star cast — it will eventually have a second part.
Prabhas in ‘Salaar’ (Hombale/ Twitter)
Similarly, superstar Mahesh Babu’s upcoming film with SS Rajamouli has three parts. Well, it might eat away a major chunk of his career, but neither Mahesh nor SS Rajamouli seem to be worried about the time.
After the resounding success of RRR (2022), Rajamouli doesn’t want to limit himself to one story with a one-star zone. He will be directing Mahesh Babu for a globe-trotting adventurous flick that is being penned by Vijayendra Prasad.
Surprisingly, the film has three parts. No official confirmation about the franchise from Rajamouli though. It is learnt that the Baahubali (2015) director has hired a casting agency from America.
We all know that Prabhas’ Salaar is coming in two chapters.
Another actor worth keeping an eye on is Satyadev. A relatively small actor, he has a reasonably good fanbase. His new outing titled Garuda has two chapters.
Touted to be an intense action thriller, Garuda is being helmed by director Kranthi Bala. The first-look poster shows the protagonist Satyadev in a rustic look. Abhishek Nama is bankrolling the project.
Allu Arjun in ‘Pushpa 2’. (Allu Arjun/ Twitter)
Another exciting project that filmgoers have been waiting for is the Pushpa (2021) franchise. This second part of the Allu Arjun and Sukumar combination has piqued the interest of fans.
Siddu Jonnalagadda has created a rampage at the box office with DJ Tillu (2022). Audiences have had a good time munching on this comedy suspense thriller in theatres as well as on OTT.
It is time for Siddu to hop on a mad ride to Tillu Square, which is expected to arrive in theatres in September. But this time, Neha Shetty has been replaced by Anupama Parameswaran.
Coming from God’s Own Country, there are quite a few sequels and prequels that are in the pipeline in Mollywood. Here’s the list:
Empuraan is one of the most-anticipated sequels in Malayalam. The action thriller drama is the second part of Prithviraj’s directorial debut Lucifer (2019), a blockbuster hit at the box office.
Empuraan‘s shooting will commence by this year’s end. The script is penned by actor-writer Murali Gopi.
Prithviraj Sukumaran in ‘Jana Gana Mana’. (Prithviraj/ Twitter)
Directed by Dijo Jose Antony, Jana Gana Mana 2 is a highly anticipated follow-up to Jana Gana Mana (2021). It features Prithviraj, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mamta Mohandas in key roles.
The movie is expected to be a prequel. The trailer of Jana Gana Mana (2022) had visuals of the prequel which was shot for promotional purposes.
The film is expected to be a political thriller that showcases Suraj Venjaramoodu’s versatility as an actor.
Bilal is a most-awaited sequel to Big B which gained cult status upon its release in 2007. The film has been confirmed by the makers recently.
Big B director Amal Neerad shared a video that starts with the visuals of guns and skulls and gradually transforms into lion heads and multiple other minute details, ending with a picture of Mammootty posing on a chair.
Fans are thrilled about his return as John Kurishingal for the sequel.
‘Chinthamani Kolacase’. (Wikimedia)
Suresh Gopi’s Chinthamani Kolacase (2006) is one of the most stylish legal thriller movies ever made in Malayalam. Director Shaji Kailas announced a sequel to this super hit film.
Sharing the poster of Chinthamani Kolacase 2, the director wrote: “We are on the Move.” The poster had Suresh Gopi in a surreal look as Lal Krishna Viradiyar, who is an advocate.
The script is penned by AK Sajan. Bhavana played the role of Chithamani in the first part.
Dileep’s superhit movie CID Moosa (2003) will have a sequel and the shooting will begin next year.
During a media interaction, the actor confirmed the same. He said the story is almost ready and some parts of the plot are to be confirmed.
The main attraction of CID Mossa was the dog named Arjun and Moosa (Dileep).
According to Dileep, in the second part, the crew is making efforts to deliver a film that will be better than the first part.
CID Moosa also featured Bhavana, Jagathy Sreekumar, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, and Cochin Haneefa in significant roles. It was directed by Johny Antony and produced by Grand Productions.
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