Bollywood is set to usher in 2025 as a landmark year with an impressive slate of sequels and franchise films. Audiences can look forward to the return of fan-favourite titles such as ‘Don 3’, ‘Raid 2’, ‘Jolly LLB 3’, ‘Housefull 5’, ‘War 2’, and ‘Welcome to the Jungle’. These films promise a mix of nostalgia and novelty, ensuring a cinematic feast filled with familiar faces and fresh twists.
The dominance of sequels and franchises continue to shape Bollywood’s narrative landscape. Filmmakers are increasingly tapping into established storylines and beloved characters to deliver guaranteed Box office hits.
With 2025’s packed lineup, Bollywood is set to double down on this trend, promising a blend of action, drama, comedy, and romance.
Raid 2
Ajay Devgn returns in ‘Raid 2’, the sequel to the 2018 crime thriller that captivated audiences with its gripping story of tax raids and corruption. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the sequel is all set to bring another intriguing quest led by IRS officer, Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn).
The film also features Vaani Kapoor as the female lead, Ritesh Deshmukh as the antagonist and Rajat Kapoor in pivotal role.
Jolly LLB 3
In 2017, Akshay Kumar and Huma Qureshi starred in Jolly LLB 2, a sequel to Jolly LLB, released in 2013. The first film featured Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla in the lead roles. Amrita Rao also starred in the first part.
Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, and Huma Qureshi are all set to entertain the audience with their next ‘Jolly LLB 3’. The third instalment is expected to tackle contemporary legal issues while maintaining the franchise’s trademark wit.
Housefull 5
The excitement for the latest addition to the hit comedy franchise, ‘Housefull 5’ is at an all-time high. Known for its slapstick humour and ensemble cast, the ‘Housefull’ franchise ups the ante with its fifth instalment.
Helmed by Tarun Mansukhani, ‘Housefull 5’ will be released in theatres on June 6, 2025. The first part of ‘Housefull’ was released in the year 2010 and starred Akshay, Riteish, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal and Boman Irani. The film was declared a hit, followed by another hit sequel ‘Housefull 2’ which was released in 2012 and included a stellar cast of Akshay, Ritiesh, John Abraham, Shreyas Talpade, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty and Asin. Both parts were helmed by director Sajid Khan.
War 2
‘War’ (2019) redefined Bollywood’s action genre with Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s high-octane performances. In ‘War 2’, Jr NTR joins as the antagonist, while director Ayan Mukerji takes the lead, promising bigger stunts and visual spectacle.
The film is a sequel to the 2019 action thriller film ‘War’ which also starred Vaani Kapoor. Directed by Siddarth Anand, this high-octane action drama minted Rs 200 crores within seven days of its release in 2019. It’s touted to be one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of that year.
Welcome to the Jungle
The film features Akshay Kumar alongside renowned names such as Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Suniel Shetty, Johnny Lever, Kiku Sharda, Krushna Abhishek, Rahul Dev and singers-brothers Daler Mehndi and Mika. Ahmed Khan has come on board to direct the film.
The film is the third instalment of the hit franchise ‘Welcome’ which starred Feroz Khan, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal in the lead roles. The second instalment, titled ‘Welcome Back’, was released in 2015.Actors John Abraham and Shruti Haasan replaced Akshay and Katrina in the second part. Both films were helmed by Anees Bazmee.
Son of Sardaar 2
Following the success at the box office in 2012, Ajay Devgn is back to enthral the audience with the sequel of the action comedy ‘Son of Sardaar’. Helmed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the film has an extensive shoot schedule in the UK, followed by India.
‘Son of Sardaar’, directed by Ashwani Dhir, features Devgn alongside Sonakshi Sinha and tells the story of Jassi, a man who returns to his ancestral village in Punjab and becomes embroiled in a family feud. The film was known for its mix of humour, action, and romance, and while it received mixed reviews, it was praised for its lively performances and engaging soundtrack.
‘Son of Sardaar 2’ was officially announced on August 6.
De De Pyaar De 2
Romantic comedy ‘De De Pyaar De’ struck a chord with its unconventional take on relationships. The film, starring Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh, and R Madhavan, is set to hit theatres on November 14 next year.
‘De De Pyaar De 2′ is being filmed in Punjab, Mumbai, and London. The sequel is directed by Anshul Sharma and produced by T-Series Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar, along with Luv Films’ Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg.
The original ‘De De Pyaar De’ (2019), directed by Akiv Ali, was a hit among moviegoers. It starred Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Rakul Preet Singh.
Don 3
The people have been waiting impatiently for the new ‘Don’ from the wildly anticipated movie ‘Don 3,’ directed by Farhan Akhtar. Ranveer Singh will be the new Don in the third film of the hit franchise.
In August 2023, Farhan had in a special announcement video revealed that Ranveer Singh will be the new Don in the third film of the hit franchise.
In the teaser, Ranveer was seen seated in a building with his back to the camera. He lit up a cigarette, introduced himself as Don, and then turned to face the camera.
‘Don’ starred Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani in prominent roles. The film was released in 2006 and its sequel was released in 2011.
Baaghi 4
Tiger Shroff is all set to thrill fans in the next instalment of his popular action franchise ‘Baaghi 4’. In November, the actor, took to his Instagram to share the intense and “bloodier” first look of the film.
Tiger shared a gripping poster of himself sitting on a toilet seat with a knife in one hand, and bottle in another. Along with the pictures, he wrote, “A darker spirit, a bloodier mission. This time he is not the same!”
The ‘Baaghi’ franchise started in 2016 with the release of the first film, directed by Sabbir Khan. It was an action-packed thriller inspired by the 2004 Telugu movie ‘Varsham’ and the 2011 Indonesian film The Raid: Redemption. The movie featured Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, and Sudheer Babu in lead roles.
Border 2
Another much-awaited sequel ‘Border 2’, has officially started filming. Earlier this year, Sunny Deol confirmed his return to the iconic role he portrayed in the original, 1997 blockbuster ‘Border’ and now, the cameras are rolling for the much-awaited continuation of the patriotic war saga.
In a recent announcement shared by the film’s makers, a picture from the film’s sets was posted, featuring a clapboard that signals the start of production.
Directed by Anurag Singh, ‘Border 2’ is set to be a grand cinematic spectacle with a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Sunny Deol reprising his legendary role, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty.
The surge in sequels highlights Bollywood’s strategic shift toward building franchises, much like Hollywood. By combining familiarity with innovation, filmmakers are keeping audiences invested while minimizing commercial risks.
This approach has proven effective, as audiences gravitate toward stories and characters they already love, with sequels adding layers to these narratives.
With a star-studded lineup and a mix of genres, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of cinematic extravagance for Bollywood. Whether it’s heart-pounding action, side-splitting comedy, or heartfelt romance, moviegoers can expect something for everyone.
As the franchise era takes centre stage, Bollywood is poised to keep audiences entertained while evolving its storytelling techniques. Fans can gear up for a year packed with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable moments at the movies.
