Bollywood is embracing the concept of spiritual sequels, where new films carry forward the themes or style of earlier ones without directly continuing the story or featuring the same characters.
Lately, spiritual sequels have gained traction, with directors revisiting the core elements of successful films while crafting new stories.
For instance, Bad Newz introduced a different plot but maintained the recurring theme of a medical mishap from Good Newz, providing a marketable link between the two.
The rise of spiritual sequels is evident in upcoming films like Dhadak 2 and Tere Ishk Mein. Dhadak 2 aims to explore a new romantic saga while maintaining the essence of the original Dhadak’s themes around love and societal issues.
From Bad Newz to Dhadak 2: Bollywood’s New Take on Sequels and Spiritual Follow-Ups
Likewise, Tere Ishk Mein, starring Dhanush and helmed by Aanand L Rai, is set to build on the narrative style of Raanjhanaa. Additionally, projects like Anurag Basu’s Metro In Dino and Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par also exemplify this trend, continuing the legacy of their predecessors through fresh storylines.
Understanding the difference between standard sequels and spiritual sequels is key. Aanand L Rai explains, “While Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba continues the story of its characters, spiritual sequels like Shubh Mangal… focus on expanding the themes or concepts from the original film in a new way. For example, Zyaada Saavdhan explores similar ideas, but a true sequel would continue the original story.”
One of the renowned filmmakers Onir, working on We Are as a spiritual follow-up to I Am, explains, “While We Are honors the Supreme Court’s ruling on legalizing queer relationships, it also delves into stories that celebrate individual identities. Spiritual sequels share a thematic link, such as freedom in this case, but present new stories and characters rather than continuing the narrative from the original film.”
Discussing the impact of strategic marketing on the success of spiritual sequels, it’s clear that a compelling title can be crucial. Take Bad Newz, for example—it was originally titled Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam, a nod to a classic hit. The title was later changed to Bad Newz, a savvy move that capitalized on the established brand value of the original film, Good Newz, enhancing its promotional appeal.
Producer Ramesh Taurani, who employed a similar tactic with Ishk Vishk Rebound, explains, “Spiritual sequels present a fresh story that doesn’t directly follow the original but offers a modern twist. We opted for a title that suited the new storyline instead of simply calling it Ishk Vishk 2. Utilizing the original film’s established reputation helps in marketing the sequel, as the original was well-received and valued.”
Spiritual sequels allow filmmakers to explore familiar themes in new ways, engaging audiences with a sense of continuity. Nevertheless, they face the task of living up to or surpassing the success of the original films.
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