Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar: Leading the Race of Sequels and Franchises in Bollywood | Hindi Movie News – Times of India

In recent years, Bollywood has leaned heavily into sequels and franchises as a winning formula, driven by audiences’ desire to revisit beloved characters, iconic dialogues, and gripping storylines. At the forefront of this trend are two industry stalwarts: Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar. These actors, with their decades-spanning careers, have strategically positioned themselves as powerhouses of sequels and franchise films. Their upcoming slates, featuring big-ticket sequels like Raid 2, Housefull 5, Son of Sardaar 2, Jolly LLB 3, and Welcome to the Jungle, promise not just nostalgia, but also blockbuster potential.

Ajay Devgn: The Franchise Specialist

Ajay Devgn’s career trajectory is marked by versatility, with roles ranging from intense, brooding characters, to laugh-out-loud comedic performances. This adaptability makes him a perfect fit for sequels that require reinvention while staying true to the essence of their predecessors.

1. Raid 2: The Return of Amay Patnaik

One of Ajay’s most anticipated sequels, Raid 2, sees the actor reprise his role as the straight and fearless income tax officer Amay Patnaik. The first film was a sleeper hit, appreciated for its gripping narrative and Ajay’s restrained yet impactful performance. With Raid 2, fans can expect another high-stakes game of cat and mouse, underpinned by strong storytelling and patriotic undertones.This time joining him would be Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor. The film was slated to release in 2024, but will now be releasing in 2025.

2. Son of Sardaar 2: Bigger, Bolder, Funnier

Ajay Devgn is also set to return to the Son of Sardaar universe, a film known for its high-energy action sequences and comedic flavor. While the second installment has no connection with the first one, few character have been brought back into the fold like Sanjay Dutt. The two of them will be joined by Mrunal Thakur.

3. De De Pyaar De 2: Romance Meets Comedy Again

De De Pyaar De was a surprise hit that showcased Ajay’s comedic timing and maturity in a modern love triangle. The sequel takes ahead the story with the addition of R Madhavan in the mix. He’d be playing Rakul Preet Singh’s father and it is rumored that Kartik Aaryan would be playing a special role in the film. Ajay’s ability to portray a character caught between generational conflicts ensures that De De Pyaar De 2 will resonate with audiences of all ages.

4. Dhamaal 4: Taking Comedy to New Heights

Having already established himself as a comedic genius in the Golmaal series, Ajay is now poised to bring his charm to Dhamaal 4. As a late entrant to this comedy franchise, his involvement is expected to rejuvenate the series with fresh ideas and his signature style of humor.

Akshay Kumar: The King of Multi-Genre Franchises

While Ajay excels in intensity and drama, Akshay Kumar has carved a niche for himself as the go-to actor for a mix of comedy, action, and socially relevant themes. His dedication to maintaining a consistent presence in franchises is commendable, and his upcoming projects highlight his versatility.

1. Housefull 5: The Ultimate Family Entertainer

Akshay Kumar has been the acnhor of the Housefull franchise since its inception, and with Housefull 5, the stakes are higher than ever as producer Sajid Nadiadwala has put together the biggest cast for the film including names like Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan , Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. Touted as Bollywood’s first fivequel, the film promises high dose of chaos and laughter.

2. Welcome to the Jungle: Akshay Brings Back the Madness

Akshay returns to the Welcome franchise for the third part, as the second installment featured John Abraham. The original films were laugh riots, and this installment promises to build on that legacy with a fresh ensemble cast, larger-than-life settings, and Akshay’s impeccable comic timing. Fans are excited to see him step back into the shoes of his iconic character.

3. Jolly LLB 3: Justice with a Twist

The Jolly LLB series holds a special place in Akshay’s filmography, as it combines comedy with courtroom drama. In Jolly LLB 3, Akshay will once again don the lawyer’s robe, bringing wit and wisdom to a socially charged narrative and he will be locking horns with Arshad Warsi who was part of the first installment and Akshay stepping into second. Known for blending humor with thought-provoking themes, this sequel is expected to strike a chord with both critics and audiences.

4. Bhagam Bhag 2: Revisiting the Chase

Another exciting sequel in Akshay’s lineup is Bhagam Bhag 2. The original film, a comedy of errors, was a hit for its engaging storyline and humorous twists.
Commenting on the growing trend of sequels in the industry Trade Expert, Taran Adarsh says , “When a sequel to a successful film happens there is a lot of recall value and love for the film first and second there is a ready audience for the film so that makes the film’s position strong at the box office. ”
“Actors today are dependent on sequels and franchises as box office rating has become extremely important that one or two flops can affect you badly , so everyone wants to play safe these days” he added.
Why Ajay and Akshay Are Dominating the Franchise Game

1. Reliability as Box-Office Magnets

Over the years Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar have proven that they can draw audiences to theaters. Their involvement in a project usually adds an assurance of entertainment, which is critical for sequels relying on brand value.

2. Mastery of Genres

Ajay’s expertise in intense dramas and Akshay’s dominance in comedy and action, create a diverse portfolio that appeals to a wide audience base.

3. Nostalgia and Freshness

Both actors strike a perfect balance between staying true to the original films and introducing fresh elements. While Ajay’s Raid 2 and Son of Sardaar 2 build on the audience’s love for patriotic and larger-than-life characters, Akshay’s Jolly LLB 3 promise laughter and social relevance.

4. Evolving with the Audience

In an era where audiences demand more than star power, Ajay and Akshay have evolved with their films. Their franchise choices reflect an understanding of changing viewer preferences, incorporating elements like humor, social messages, and relatable characters.
Trade Analyst Atul Mohan shares, ” If you see in the recent past of both the actors the film that have worked were either remakes like Shaitaan and Drishyam 2 or franchises like Sooryavanshi and Singham Again. So the brand positioning of sequels and franchises have already been established and the audience already knows what to expect so one saves time and money on popularizing the movie. And with sequels a good start is usually assured also remakes are now going out of system as people have access to content in multiple languages.

Challenges Ahead

While Ajay and Akshay are leading the race, they face significant challenges. The growing demand for fresh and innovative storytelling means that sequels must go beyond recycling old plots. Moreover, competition from other actors venturing into franchise territory adds pressure to consistently deliver hits.
The box-office performance of sequels like Golmaal Again and Singham Again has set a high benchmark, and expectations are even higher for upcoming projects. Ajay and Akshay must ensure that their films not only live up to the hype, but also push the boundaries of storytelling and filmmaking.