Priyadarshan Reveals Why He Doesn’t Like Making Sequels Of His Films; States, “It’s A Kind Of Extortion Of The First”

Priyadarshan explains why he avoids making sequels to his own films, says they utilise the fame of the original and become a creative burden. Read on.

Priyadarshan Reveals Why He Doesn’t Like Making Sequels Of His Films

In a conversation with Variety India, Priyadarshan explained that making sequels to his own films comes with pressure he would rather avoid. He said, “I don’t like to do sequels of my own films because I know how much I suffered to make the original.”

He said that while some sequels manage to build organically on the original story, many others rely only on the popularity of the first film. Drawing a comparison with a well-known Hollywood franchise, he said, “If you are taking films like Terminator 1, Terminator 2, you can see a continuity.” He added, “But in the other case, only the title matches, nothing else matches.”

Several Indian films, such as Love Aaj Kal, Don, Golmaal, and Dhamaal, have spawned sequels over the years, with some of them achieving considerable success at the box office. However, according to Priyadarshan, the popularity of the original film often gives sequels an initial boost.

Priyadarshan On Sequels: It Is An Extortion Of The First Film

He noted that the fame of the earlier instalment typically draws audiences to theatres during the first three to four days, after which the collections tend to decline. He continued, “The fame of the previous film also works in favour of the sequel for the first three to four days. Later, the collections start falling.” The director added that by the time the decline begins, the financial objective is often already met.

The filmmaker further criticised the trend of using established titles purely for commercial gain. “So then they are utilizing the fame of the previous film,” he said, explaining how the brand value of the original often helps the sequel perform initially at the box office. The filmmaker said, “By that time, the producer feels that I have made my money. So it’s a kind of exploitation. I rather say it’s a kind of extortion of the first film.”

According to Priyadarshan, such films tend to see a brief surge in collections before audiences lose interest. “Then what happens is the audiences are coming in for three or four days because of the aura of the first part, and the films are able to clock some collections. But after that, the films are dropping.”

Despite his criticism of the sequel trend, Priyadarshan remains one of the most influential filmmakers in Indian cinema, known for directing several iconic comedy films. With Bhooth Bangla, he is set to return to the big screen with a horror-comedy that brings back his collaboration with Akshay Kumar, a pairing that has delivered multiple memorable hits in the past.

About Bhooth Bangla

Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films. Produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms. What truly makes Bhooth Bangla a complete entertainer is its stellar ensemble cast. It features icons like Akshay Kumar, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, Asrani, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Parts of the film have also been shot across Rajasthan, Jaipur, and Hyderabad, adding rich visual texture to the narrative.

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Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.