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Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani's '3 Idiots' Hold Max Franchise Potential In Bollywood: Report

By Sunit Jangir
December 14, 2023 at 2:07 PM IST
6.4K
2 min read
Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani's '3 Idiots' Hold Max Franchise Potential In Bollywood: Report

Mumbai, December 14 - The franchise-based films are taking centre stage in Bollywood and there are several films in different franchises that are currently in development, including Hera Pheri, Welcome, Drishyam, and Gadar, among others.



According to Ormax Media, a media consulting firm, the contribution of franchise films to the Hindi theatrical domestic box office has grown from a mere 17% in 2019 to 45% in 2023, and franchise films are expected to have a huge contribution to the box office in the future. (via mediabrief)



Ormax Media, in its new report 'The Bollywood Franchise Report: 2023', identifies the Top 100 Hindi film franchises (current & potential), based on audience equity. According to the report, superstar Aamir Khan's "3 Idiot" has the highest potential at the box office if it turns into a franchise.





Films released between January 1990 to September 2023 were assessed in the report which is the result of a survey conducted amongst 3,000 regular Hindi film-goers across India, in Oct-Nov 2023. According to the report, 4 films of Shah Rukh Khan in the top 10 have huge franchise potential.





Among the top 10 franchise potential titles, Hera Pheri, Drishyam, and Gadar are already in development at some stages and the possibilities of two Jawan and Pathaan are also there.



Have a look at the top 10 Bollywood franchises (current or potential) according to Ormax Media research -



1. 3 Idiots




2. Chennai Express




3. Hera Pheri




4. Jawan




5. Drishyam




6. URI: The Surgical Strike




7. Gadar




8. Chak De! India




9. Dhoom




10. Pathaan





Stay tuned...



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Bollywood 3 Idiots Chennai Express Hera Pheri Akshay Kumar Shah Rukh Khan Aamir Khan
Published on December 14, 2023 at 8:37 AM

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Cocktail 2 Box Office: Can Shahid-Kriti's Sequel Overtake Pati Patni Aur Woh to Enter the Top 10 Rom-Coms?

BY SACNILK

It has been over a decade since Homi Adajania's Cocktail arrived in theaters, yet the film remains a definitive benchmark for the urban romantic-comedy genre in India. While many films from that era have faded, Cocktail is still a staple on playlists and streaming platforms. With the spiritual sequel, Cocktail 2, scheduled for release on June 19, 2026, the big question is whether this fresh trio can capture the same lightning in a bottle that the original did back in 2012. Back in 2012, the film was produced on a modest 35 Crore budget and turned into a significant commercial success. Its journey began with a 10.95 Crore opening Friday, followed by a steady first week that closed at 53.18 Crore. By the time it exited theaters, the domestic net stood at 71.24 Crore while the worldwide gross reached 121.78 Crore. For that period, these numbers were a strong indicator that audiences were looking for more grounded and contemporary narratives. A huge part of that cult status came from the music. Pritam's soundtrack wasn’t just a collection of songs; it was the heartbeat of the film. From the friendship anthems like Tumhi Ho Bandhu and Daaru Desi to the emotional depth of Yaariyan and Jugni, the album dominated every chart. Even today, tracks like Angreji Beat remain club staples. The album peaked at rank 18 on iTunes India and remains one of the top three Bollywood albums of 2012. For many fans, the music was the primary reason for the film's long-term longevity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Beyond the music, the film was a career-defining moment for Deepika Padukone. By choosing to play the impulsive and fiercely independent Veronica instead of the traditional Meera, she subverted the classic bad girl trope. Instead of being the villain, Veronica was humanized—showing that a woman could be westernized and flawed yet deeply empathetic and loyal. The chemistry between Saif Ali Khan, Deepika, and debutante Diana Penty created a messy, realistic love triangle that felt authentic to the youth of that decade. Now, fast forward to 2026, and Homi Adajania is back in the director's chair for Cocktail 2. This time, the film features a fresh cast led by Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films in collaboration with Luv Ranjan, the project has already wrapped its filming in locations like Sicily and Delhi. Dimple Kapadia returns to the franchise, joined by Sanjay Dutt, Rohit Saraf, and a supporting appearance by Varun Dhawan. However, the sequel faces a high bar. The initial music reception has been divided. While Pritam returns as the composer, the first single Mashooqa faced plagiarism allegations, with listeners comparing its melody to a 1993 Italian track. While the visuals and the sizzling chemistry between Shahid and Kriti have been praised, critical listeners feel the new tracks have a tough task matching the masterpiece of 2012. The sequel needs to do more than just look glamorous; it has to capture the same raw emotional honesty that made the first film a classic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon leading the cast, along with a wider release than the original, the sequel is expected to see a double-digit opening day. If the film receives positive word-of-mouth, it has the potential to reach the 150 Crore mark worldwide. To secure a spot in the top 10 list of romantic comedies since 2012, its first major goal will be to overtake the 109 Crore gross of Pati Patni Aur Woh. You can find the current rankings and where the original film stands in the list below. Top 10 Highest Grossing Rom-Coms Since 2012 (Worldwide)MOVIE NAMEWORLDWIDE GROSSYeh Jawaani Hai Deewani₹ 318.00 CrTanu Weds Manu Returns₹ 258.00 CrTu Jhoothi Main Makkaar₹ 223.00 Cr2 States₹ 173.10 CrTeri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya₹ 139.00 CrLuka Chuppi₹ 128.00 CrCocktail (2012)₹ 121.78 CrHumpty Sharma Ki Dulhania₹ 119.60 CrZara Hatke Zara Bachke₹ 116.00 CrPati Patni Aur Woh₹ 109.00 Cr

Four Reasons Why Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar Is Different From YRF Spy Universe Films Bollywood
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Four Reasons Why Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar Is Different From YRF Spy Universe Films

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, May 26 - The mega blockbuster success of Aditya Dhar's spy thriller franchise Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has changed how audiences may view Indian spy cinema going forward. Starring Ranveer Singh, the film follows his character Jaskirat Singh Rangi, a deep-cover Indian agent living a dangerous double life inside enemy territory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ever since Dhurandhar films have been released, the franchise's gritty story has sparked an intense debate among moviegoers. R. Madhvan, who has played a major role in the two-part film series, famously said during the trailer launch event of the first film last year that Dhurandhar will vanish the spy genre in Indian cinema. This has sparked a debate as many compare Dhurandhar's style to the famous Yash Raj Films Spy Universe, which includes hits like Pathaan, Tiger, and War. While YRF films have proven their box office dominance over the year, Dhurandhar's success might have put the studio under pressure regarding its future films. Here are five points which makes 3000+ crore blockbuster to YRF Spy movies. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Realism vs. Fantasy While both franchises centred around terrorism, the YRF Spy Universe functions as a larger-than-life, masala entertainer, and popcorn-friendly world where you leave your brain at home. On the other hand, Dhurandhar is highly grounded, which explores actual intelligence tactics, politics, and historical underpinnings, starring from 1999 Kandahar hijacking to the Karachi underworld. Grit over Glamour YRF movies are famous for flashy international locations, stylish outfits, and massive dance numbers. Dhurandhar features heavy hyper-violence, profanity, and a dark, moody visual style. It completely skips typical Bollywood song-and-dance tropes to keep the tension alive while using iconic songs as background music in sync with scenes. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Character Portrayal In the YRF universe, spies act like unstoppable superheroes who can dodge bullets effortlessly and jump from one plane to another. In Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh's character (Jaskirat Singh Rangi) is quiet, lethal, and deeply vulnerable. The movie showcases the immense emotional and mental toll of deep-cover spy craft rather than treating it like a fun adventure. Geopolitical Stakes YRF films often take a softer, completely fictionalised stance on international conflicts to appeal to a global audience. Dhurandhar does not try to please both sides. It presents an unvarnished, sharp-edged depiction of real-life rivalries and national security struggles while giving proper importance to each character without caring about the runtime.

Bhooth Bangla Day 39 Box Office: Rs. 0.50 Cr Net; Misses All-Time Top 10 Spot by Rs. 0.60 Cr Margin Box Office
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Bhooth Bangla Day 39 Box Office: Rs. 0.50 Cr Net; Misses All-Time Top 10 Spot by Rs. 0.60 Cr Margin

BY SACNILK

The reunion of Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan has clearly struck a chord with the audience, as Bhooth Bangla continues its steady march through its sixth week. Horror-comedies often rely on strong word-of-mouth to survive the initial weeks, and this film has managed to do just that, maintaining a consistent presence in theaters even as new releases arrive. Entering Day 39, the film is showing the kind of endurance that is becoming increasingly rare in today's fast-paced box office cycle. According to early estimates, Bhooth Bangla collected a net of 0.50 Crore on its sixth Monday. This reflects a logical 63.0 percent drop from the previous day's collection of 1.35 Crore, which is standard for a weekday following a weekend boost. This latest addition brings the total India net collection to 174.85 Crore. On the gross front, the domestic total has now reached 207.22 Crore. When we factor in the overseas gross of 53.75 Crore, the worldwide total stands at a solid 260.97 Crore. The film has achieved these numbers through an extensive run of over 227,000 shows since its release. Ticket sales on BookMyShow remain quite healthy for a film in its 39th day, rounded with 11.59K tickets booked on the platform this Monday. This brings the total ticket count across its entire run to approximately 32.7 Lakhs. The steady demand even after more than a month in theaters suggests that the film has successfully tapped into the family audience segment that enjoys the classic Priyadarshan brand of humor mixed with supernatural elements. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In the major national multiplex chains, the film maintained a steady flow of audience. Between PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, a total of 2.1K tickets were sold, bringing in a gross of 4.5 Lakhs for the day. Looking at the chain-wise breakdown, PVR led with 2.2 Lakhs, while INOX and Cinepolis contributed 1.3 Lakhs and 1.0 Lakhs respectively. This cumulative performance across 550 shows resulted in an average occupancy of 2.10 percent for these chains. Regionally, the Hindi-speaking heartland continues to provide the most support. On Day 39, the National Capital Region (NCR) led the way with a 14.0 percent occupancy across 192 shows, showing particular strength during the night screenings which saw 17.0 percent of seats filled. Lucknow also showed decent engagement with an 11.5 percent overall occupancy, while Ahmedabad recorded 9.8 percent across its 81 shows. The consistent performance in these major cities has been the backbone of the film's long-term success. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the film misses out on a top 10 spot for all-time Day 39 collections, it has still managed to secure a position on the historical list for this stage of the theatrical run. The very top of this leaderboard is led by films that showed exceptional longevity, such as Stree 2 with 5.00 Crore, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge with 3.25 Crore, and Jawan with 2.09 Crore. To even enter the top 10, a film needs to surpass the 1.10 Crore mark set by Kalki 2898 AD. By collecting 0.50 Crore on its sixth Monday, Bhooth Bangla currently ranks 18th, matching the daily pace seen by other significant hits like Raid 2 and Gadar 2. This ranking places it among a select group of Hindi releases that have remained active enough to register on the charts after five weeks in theaters. As the film nears the end of its sixth week, the focus is now on how much further it can push its total before concluding its theatrical run. With a worldwide gross exceeding 260 Crore, Bhooth Bangla has already established itself as a significant hit. The combination of a beloved actor-director duo and a popular genre has proven to be a winning formula, allowing the film to maintain a steady, albeit smaller, stream of revenue deep into its second month of release.

Alia Bhatt's Character Details In Yash Raj Films' Alpha Revealed Bollywood
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Alia Bhatt's Character Details In Yash Raj Films' Alpha Revealed

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, May 26 - Alpha is one of the most-awaited Bollywood films, as it marks the first female-led instalment in Yash Raj Films' ambitious Spy Universe. Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in the lead, the action thriller has been generating anticipation ever since its announcement. Now, fresh reports about Alia's character and the film being different from other spy movies have further increased the excitement surrounding the film. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Alia Bhatt will reportedly play a deadly assassin in Alpha, and not a conventional spy like the earlier protagonists in the YRF Spy Universe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The report states that her character has an edgy backstory and is someone who was "raised and built to kill" from a young age. YRF is said to be exploring a much darker, more emotionally layered origin story for the film, giving the franchise a fresh direction after the success of movies like Pathaan, War, and Tiger. The makers are reportedly betting big on the film's unique characterisation and intense action setup. Alia's role is expected to feature brutal combat sequences, hand-to-hand action, and a gritty screen presence unlike anything she has attempted before. The reports have already led to comparisons with Marvel's Black Widow among fans on social media, with many excited to see Alia in a fierce action avatar. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Sharvari is also said to have a powerful role alongside her, making the film a full-fledged female-driven action spectacle. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha also stars Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles. The film is currently slated for a theatrical release on July 10, 2026, and is expected to be one of the biggest event films from Yash Raj Films of the year.