If 2011 belonged to remakes, then 2012 is most likely to belong to sequels. From comedies to action flicks, every film worth its money in Bollywood seems to have been bitten by the sequel bug as the year will have as many as 22 sequels either ready to release or on the floor. And while some of these are installments of recent flicks, there are others whose original films had hit the marquee a few years back.But this surge hardly comes as a surprise to industry wallahs, who explain the reasons behind it. “Creating a franchisee for a hit film is the best bet in these times. Right now there’s a lot of flutter in the industry with the high money in circulation. So, the moment you know you have the financial backing secured, instead of waiting for a fresh new concept, it’s best to work on a sequel.

Besides, sequels of films like Dhoom, Golmaal.All have done well in the past, so it’s encouraging for other filmmakers too,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta however feels that some films genuinely lend themselves to being followed up as a sequel. “It does help when the basic premise is set already. So it’s taking off from where you’d left the last time instead of ground zero again,” says Gupta. But filmmaker Milan Luthria is quick to point out that it should not be mistaken as the filmmakers having it easy though.

“It may seem like the easier way out, but the fact is that since the expectations are high if you make a sequel to a hit, the pressure is high too on the filmmaker to deliver,” adds Luthria.Actor Tusshar Kapoor, who's been a part of the hit Golmaal series, says that as far as actors are concerned, it definitely works in their favor. “The audience loves the character so much that they want to see more of them, which is definitely a compliment, but also encouraging for the actor to keep doing better and equally challenging,” he says.

Taran highlights that it’s easier to make sequels of comedies and action flicks as compared to the other genre. “They are both quite a favourite when it comes to making sequels as they are easy to take up from where they left. That’s why it’s now not uncommon for film endings to already announce the next installment coming up, while in some films it’s easy to see that a sequel can easily be made,” says Taran.

Sequels in waiting

Kya Supercool Hain Hum
Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai 2
Dedh Ishqiya
Tanu Weds Manu 2
Shootout At Wadala
Dhoom 3
Munnabhai 3
Houseful 2
Gyarah Chalis Ki Last Metro
Raaz 3
Jannat 2
Jism 2
Dabangg 2
Shabri 2
Ghayal 2
Krrish 2
Dostana 2
Rock On 2
1920 - Evil Returns
No Entry 2
Race 2