Have franchise films become the new power of Bollywood in 2026? From 'Border 2' to 'Drishyam 3'

The year 2026 has been dominated by sequels and franchise films for Bollywood. Looking at the box office figures, it is clear that audiences now prefer to watch only select films in theaters. Attracting viewers to cinemas for every new film has become a major challenge for producers.

Experts say that franchise films act as a safe option for the audience. The announcement of films like 'Border 2' and 'Drishyam 3' has already created excitement among viewers. These films come with an established brand value, which helps in bringing the audience to the theaters.

According to film critics, audiences now want to connect with stories they already know or characters they are emotionally attached to. Sequel films fulfill this need. Although not every sequel is successful, the success rate is observed to be higher compared to new stories.

In the Amar Ujala report, experts explained that a franchise does not just mean bringing back old characters, but presenting them with a new story. If the quality of the film is good, the audience embraces it. On the other hand, if a sequel is made only for commercial gain, the audience does not hesitate to reject it.

Several major franchise films have performed well at the box office this year. This trend suggests that Bollywood is now investing more in established brands rather than taking risks. This is proving to be a safe and profitable model for producers.

However, some experts also believe that relying solely on franchises can be detrimental to creativity. The lack of new ideas and original stories could become a problem for Bollywood in the future.

Overall, the 2026 Bollywood landscape makes it clear that franchise films are currently the biggest strength of the industry. The audience's inclination and box office success are pointing in this direction.