S S Rajamouli Rules Out Sequel for Varanasi, Yet Tollywood Banks on Franchises

Ace director S S Rajamouli, who pioneered the sequel trend in Tollywood with the Baahubali franchise, has largely stayed away from follow-ups for his other blockbusters, including RRR. In a recent interaction with Hollywood media, the filmmaker revealed that his upcoming film Varanasi featuring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, was also briefly considered as a two-part project.However, the idea was dropped at an early stage, with the team deciding to narrate the entire story in a single film. “Rajamouli probably felt that stretching the narrative purely for franchise-building would not serve the story,” says a leading distributor, adding, “The ace filmmaker believes every story has its own limitations and should not be expanded unnecessarily for commercial reasons.”Despite Rajamouli’s clear creative stand, Tollywood continues to lean heavily towards sequels and franchises. The trend gained momentum after Pushpa: The Rise struck gold at the box office. While a few proposed sequels such as Kingdom and Hari Hara Veera Mallu were shelved, and Akhanda 2 failed to meet expectations, filmmakers remain committed to franchise filmmaking. “Even with mixed results, the industry is still fascinated by sequels,” the distributor notes.Producer TG Vishwaprasad, who tasted major success with Karthikeya 2, has also lined up multiple sequels. “We have a clear vision to make a sequel to Mirai with the same team. The genre has enough scope, and we are working on an exciting new story. Just like we recreated the magic with Karthikeya 2, we are confident of delivering a visually appealing and emotionally engaging sequel.”Several big-ticket sequels are currently in the pipeline, including Kalki 2898 AD, Salaar: Part 2, and Devara 2. Jr NTR’s Devara, directed by Koratala Siva, Though recent rumours suggested that Devara 2 had been shelved, producer Sudhakar Mikkilineni of Yuvasudha Arts clarified that the film is expected to go on floors in May this year, with a planned release in 2027. He shared the update at an event in Jangaon, much to the delight of Nandamuri fans.Noted producer Suresh Babu strongly backs the franchise model, calling it a winning proposition. “Sequels are no longer just a creative choice; they are a smart business decision. Hollywood franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, the Marvel universe, and Star Wars have proven how powerful sequels can be. If you compare originals and sequels, the latter often have a stronger box-office record,” he says.He adds that sequels offer a degree of financial security. “When the first part connects with audiences, the sequel comes with a minimum guarantee. If the second instalment has a strong story, it only builds further momentum.”Sequels on cards including Jai Hanuman, Pushpa 3 among others. Addressing concerns about a possible shortage of fresh ideas, Suresh Babu disagrees. “New stories will always have space. Sequels dominate mainly because star-driven franchises come with an existing audience base and strong buyer interest.”



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