Bollywood scripts recovery with sequels, small-town strategy

One of the biggest deals so far this year has been by K. Raheja Corp's Chalet Hotels Ltd's in February

- Lata Jha

After a lackluster first half in 2025 with box office collections just crossing ₹1,900 crore, the Hindi film industry is pinning hopes on a stronger second half. A packed release calendar, a wave of sequels, and stories rooted in mythology and folk traditions are expected to drive revenues up by 20-30%, theatre owners and producers said.

The recovery strategy centers on reaching audiences in tier-two and tier-three towns through culturally resonant stories. Franchises like Son of Sardaar 2, War 2, Baaghi 4 and Jolly LLB 3, along with folklore-inspired films like Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Thama, are expected to dominate the theatrical landscape in the coming months.

Franchises are a series of films that continue the story of popular characters or worlds—building on past successes to attract loyal audiences with sequels and spin-offs.