Bollywood has its fair share of hits and misses, but 2024 was particularly challenging. With the box office showing no mercy, several high-profile films failed to live up to the hype or even recover their budgets. Unfortunately, threequels — the third installment in popular Bollywood franchises — have often been disappointing,
leaving fans frustrated and critics unimpressed. Let’s dive into five of these threequels that left us questioning whether Bollywood should reconsider stretching franchises past their second film.
1. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: A Horror-Comedy that Missed the Mark
Kartik Aaryan’s horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 may have done well financially, but it didn’t meet fans’ expectations. After the success of the original, featuring Akshay Kumar’s unforgettable performance, many hoped this sequel would carry forward the same eerie charm. Unfortunately,
it turned out to be an underwhelming attempt to revive the iconic character of Manjulika. The storyline dragged in the first half and barely took off in the second, leaving fans with an unsatisfied, hollow feeling by the end. For many, it was a reminder that some stories are best left without a follow-up.
2. Singham Again: An Action Franchise Stretched Too Far
Released as a Diwali blockbuster, Singham Again was supposed to be a festive treat for action lovers, but the film didn’t pack the punch of its predecessors. Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, initially fresh and entertaining, began to feel repetitive and uninspired. With Deepika Padukone’s casting and a series of cameos,
the movie felt more like an attempt to create a star-studded spectacle rather than focusing on storytelling. Fans of Ajay Devgn’s no-nonsense cop character were left disappointed by a film that fell short of its high-octane roots.
3. Dhoom 3: The Dhoom Franchise Loses Its Charm
The Dhoom series is legendary in Bollywood for its fast bikes, iconic villains, and slick action sequences. While the first two parts starred heartthrobs John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan as charismatic anti-heroes, Dhoom 3 failed to deliver the same magic. Aamir Khan’s double role, intended to bring depth to the story,
ended up making the plot feel convoluted. The film’s predictability and underwhelming character development, especially for Katrina Kaif’s role, left viewers reminiscing about the better days of Dhoom.
4. Krrish 3: A Superhero Film That Missed Its Own Potential
When Krrish 3 was announced, fans of India’s first superhero, Krrish, had high hopes. Hrithik Roshan, who had breathed life into the character, returned to don the superhero cape, but this time the magic didn’t translate on screen. The film’s storyline felt disjointed,
borrowing heavily from Hollywood without bringing much originality. Rakesh Roshan, who had once impressed audiences with alien characters and heartfelt moments, seemed to lose his way with this sequel. Fans were left wondering if Krrish should have hung up his cape before this lackluster attempt.
5. Race 3: When Thrills Turned Into Disappointment
The Race franchise was synonymous with thrilling twists, suspense, and Saif Ali Khan’s stylish portrayal of a morally ambiguous character. Race 3, however, saw a massive shift as Salman Khan replaced Saif,
marking a new direction for the series. The film’s attempt to deliver big on action and twists turned into a chaotic mess that lacked the charm of the previous installments. Director Remo D’Souza couldn’t capture the old-school suspense that Abbas-Mustan, the original creators, had mastered, leaving audiences wishing the franchise had ended earlier.
The Bollywood Threequel Trend: A Series of Missteps?
Threequels have proven to be tricky territory for Bollywood. With the exception of a few, like Golmaal 3 and Murder 3, many have left fans disillusioned. Bollywood’s tendency to keep franchises alive for financial gains often sacrifices quality storytelling. Some examples of other disappointing threequels include:
- Fukrey 3 – The charm of the original feels stretched thin.
- Housefull 3 – Lacking the humor and spontaneity of the first two parts.
- Baaghi 3 – Action-packed but with a shallow storyline.
- Dabangg 3 – Lost the gritty vibe that made the original so popular.
- Total Dhamaal – Failed to capture the slapstick appeal of its predecessors.
Lessons Learned: Should Bollywood Leave It at Two?
It’s evident that the magic of a franchise often diminishes with each additional installment. While sequels can be an opportunity to expand on belove stories, threequels are often riddle with rush plots and questionable casting choices. Bollywood might benefit from leaving franchises at two films or learning from threequels that worked well,
bringing in fresh perspectives rather than relying on star power alone.
What’s Next for Bollywood Franchises?
Upcoming threequels such as Hera Pheri 3, War 3, Jolly LLB 3, and Welcome to the Jungle have fans both excited and wary. Will they fall into the same trap of disappointing threequels, or will they break the cycle and bring something new to the table? Only time will tell if these films can redeem the reputation of Bollywood threequels or if they will add to the growing list of cinematic letdowns.
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Conclusion
At the heart of the issue lies a fundamental question: how many sequels are too many? While fans cherish familiar characters and worlds, there comes a point when too many reboots dilute the magic. Bollywood needs to balance audience expectations with the importance of crafting engaging stories that don’t rely solely on nostalgia. Instead of pushing for unnecessary threequels,
maybe it’s time for Bollywood to focus on standalone films or two-part stories that leave a lasting impact without overstaying their welcome.
