Dhurandhar, Pushpa, KGF, Baahubali: Comparing How Part 2 of The Biggest Indian Blockbusters Fares Against Part 1 | Bollywood News

Mumbai, March 21 – The trend of sequels, or say Part 2, outperforming their predecessors has become a defining pattern in Indian cinema, especially when it comes to large-scale franchise films which resonated beyond regional boundaries. From Baahubali: The Beginning to Dhurandhar 2, filmmakers have successfully expanded their cinematic universes, often turning second instalments into historic box office juggernauts. Here’s a look at how Part 2 of some of the biggest Indian blockbusters – Dhurandhar, Pushpa, KGF, and Baahubali – compare with their first parts.

Baahubali: The Franchise That Started It All

Baahubali: The Beginning was a massive success, but it was Baahubali 2: The Conclusion that rewrote Indian box office history. At a time when ticket prices were comparatively lower than today, Baahubali 2 was a phenomenon beyond boundaries. While it is difficult for most of the movies to generate 10 million admissions in their lifetime runs, Baahubali 2 scored 1+ crore admissions in India on day 1 alone, which still seems out of the world in a country where theatre screens are still insufficient when compared to the large cinema-going audience.

While the first film laid the foundation with its grand storytelling and visual spectacle, the sequel capitalised on the iconic question, “Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?” The result was unprecedented hype, leading to a record-breaking theatrical run that far surpassed the original in every market. It remains the biggest Indian blockbuster of the 21st century with over 100 million tickets sold here.

KGF: A Cult Phenomenon Turned Monster Hit

KGF: Chapter 1 gained cult popularity, particularly through satellite and digital platforms. However, KGF: Chapter 2 arrived with massive anticipation and delivered a box office explosion. The sequel not only opened bigger but also sustained exceptionally well, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films and the highest-grossing Kannada movie ever, dwarfing the lifetime collections of Part 1 by a 5x margin.

Pushpa: Rise vs Rule

Pushpa: The Rise started as a strong performer, especially in Telugu markets. However, it was the Hindi market where the movie turned into an unexpected big hit and laid the foundation for its successor to rule the most important territory in India. Building on that popularity, Pushpa 2: The Rule took things to another level. With heightened scale, stronger promotions, and pan-India appeal, the sequel shattered opening day and weekend records, easily outpacing the first part and establishing itself as a global blockbuster.

Dhurandhar: A New-Age Box Office Titan

Dhurandhar emerged as a major success, but its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, has taken the franchise into uncharted territory. With massive pre-sales, record-breaking ticket demand, and a historic opening, the second instalment has already outperformed Part 1 in terms of initial numbers. Despite some setbacks like show cancellations in dubbed versions, the film has demonstrated the sheer power of franchise hype in today’s market.

Unlike the other three films (in this article), Dhurandhar Part 1 itself was a monstrous hit with over 1000 crore gross at the Indian box office. It is the only original film to reach this figure at the domestic box office. Part 2, which is the continuation of the first film, has started on an unpremeditated note and is expected to outgross the first film very soon.

What connects all these films is a common trajectory – Part 1 builds the world and audience base, while Part 2 reaps the benefits of anticipation and scale. Sequels often come with bigger budgets, improved storytelling, and a deeper emotional payoff, making them more appealing to a wider audience. From Baahubali 2: The Conclusion setting the benchmark to Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge carrying the momentum forward, Indian cinema has mastered the art of the sequel. In most of the cases, Part 2 doesn’t just match expectations, it surpasses them, proving that when done right, franchises only grow stronger with time.

Stay tuned…