Bollywood in 2025 has been dominated by a strange but fascinating trend- the rise of the unexpected underdogs. While big-budget sequels lined up to cash in on the nostalgia and brand value of established franchises, it was two films Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara and Ashwin Kumar’s animated mythological epic Mahavatar Narsimha that emerged as the real gamechangers.
One was a romantic drama introducing new faces to Hindi cinema, Ahaan Panday and Anneet Padda. The other was an ambitious animation film retelling the classic legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad. Both looked like niche projects when they released, but together they ended up rewriting the box office narrative of 2025.
By their sustained runs, Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha not only raked in impressive numbers but also went past several anticipated sequels that were expected to dominate the year. From Raid 2 and Housefull 5 to War 2 and Kesari 2, these franchise entries were humbled by two films no one saw coming.
The rise of Saiyaara
Mohit Suri has always had a knack for striking a chord with audiences through emotional storytelling and strong music. Saiyaara was no different. With its haunting soundtrack and heart-wrenching romance, the film brought back the era of love stories at a time when action franchises and comedies were dominating the marquee.
The film opened with a thunderous Rs 21.5 crore and within its first week crossed Rs 172 crore, a stunning number for a film headlined by a debutant. Word of mouth was its biggest weapon, and it enjoyed a dream run across multiplexes and single screens alike.
By the end of 39 days, Saiyaara had amassed Rs 327.90 crore (India net), making it the second-highest grosser of the year so far after Chhaava. In the process, it comfortably left behind big sequels such as Raid 2 (Rs 173.44 crore), Housefull 5 (Rs 183.30 crore), and even Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR’s massive actioner War 2 (Rs 224.15 crore).
For a love story with fresh faces to achieve this against such established franchises is nothing short of historic.
Mahavatar Narsimha: The mythological surprise
If Saiyaara was an emotional high, Mahavatar Narsimha was a spiritual one. In an age where animation in India often struggles to match up to global standards, director Ashwin Kumar dared to craft a mythological epic that relied less on technical gloss and more on emotional resonance.
The retelling of the timeless story of Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad, and Lord Narasimha struck a deep chord with family audiences. Released across languages, it found its strongest base in the Hindi market, where it consistently pulled crowds even in its later weeks.
The film opened modestly with Rs 1.75 crore, but by the end of its first month, Mahavatar Narsimha had collected Rs 233 crore (India net) across languages, with the Hindi version alone contributing over Rs 176 crore.
This number was enough to topple Hrithik Roshan’s Bang Bang from the all-time charts, and in 2025, it placed the film above sequels like Raid 2 ( Rs 173.44 crore) Kesari 2 (Rs 92.73 crore), Metro… In Dino (Rs 53.31 crore), Son of Sardaar 2 (Rs 46.73 crore), and Dhadak 2 (Rs 23.13 crore).
The fact that an animated mythological tale could outgross such high-profile star vehicles speaks volumes about the shifting taste of audiences. It also went on to become the biggest animation film of Indian Cinema.
Why sequels stumbled in 2025
2025 was supposed to be the year of sequels. Almost every other Friday had a franchise film promising bigger spectacles, grander action, and established brand value. Yet, many of them fell flat.
- Raid 2 struggled to recreate the thrill of its predecessor, despite Ajay Devgn’s strong performance, ending at Rs 173.44 crore.
- Housefull 5 offered familiar slapstick but fatigue had set in, resulting in a lifetime of Rs 183.30 crore, below expectations for a star-driven comedy.
- War 2, despite its massive opening and the presence of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, slowed after the first week and is currently at Rs 224.15 crore, far below projections.
- Kesari 2, Metro… In Dino, Son of Sardaar 2, and Dhadak 2 couldn’t even enter the Rs 100 crore club.
Audiences, it seems, were no longer satisfied with recycled narratives. They craved freshness and that’s exactly what Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha delivered.
The sequel slayers
What makes Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha remarkable is not just their box office tallies, but what they represent. They show that content-driven cinema, whether in the form of a heartfelt love story or a mythological parable, can break the stranglehold of franchises.
- Saiyaara emerged as the romantic blockbuster that no one predicted. Its music became an anthem, and its emotional resonance gave audiences something new to root for.
- Mahavatar Narsimha proved that animation and mythology could draw massive crowds if the storytelling connected at a human level.
Together, they dismantled the assumption that only big sequels could rule the box office.
What lies ahead?
The year is far from over, and the lineup still includes heavyweights like Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4, Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi’s Jolly LLB 3,Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh’s De De Pyaar De 2 and franchise films Varun Dhawan and Shashank Khaitan’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, as Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s Thama,, and Alia Bhatt-Sharvari’s Alpha.
The question now is: can these upcoming releases surpass the benchmarks set by Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha?
If anything, 2025 has proven that brand names and sequels aren’t guarantees anymore. Audiences are unpredictable, and freshness is valued more than formula. For sequels and franchises to succeed, they’ll have to offer more than just nostalgia.In the battle of sequels vs originals, 2025 has been a landmark year. Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha emerged as giant-killers, not just earning big numbers but reshaping industry conversations. They reminded everyone that films succeed not because of franchise tags, but because of their ability to move audiences emotionally, spiritually, or both.