Episodic films: Will they work?

Four in one. Episodic films seem to be the flavour of Tollywood this season.
After exploring time-tested genres like love stories, thrillers, action, comedy and horror films, Telugu filmmakers have discovered a refreshing concept of story-telling ��������� a film with four/five episodes wherein all the characters accidentally get connected at one point of time.Earlier, Bollywood filmmakers too did their share of episodic films (Dus Kahaniyaan, Darna Mana Hai, Darna Zaroori Hai). It���������s now Tollyland���������s turn to explore this new format. Films like Vedham, Om Shanti, Houseful and Chapter 6 are all episodic films.
BO queen Anushka was so kicked with the idea of doing an episodic film that she gave her nod to a role in Vedham. Reportedly, the hottie charged a paltry remuneration for the film. ���������I liked director Krish���������s well-knitted script,��������� she says. Young filmmaker Chandra Siddharth also intends to break the monotony of single plot line films with Houseful starring Gaurie Pandit and Vega Tamotia. ���������Single plotlines have become too predictable. We need to move beyond clich������d formats. Houseful is about four characters whose lives get interlinked,��������� he elaborates. Producer Priyanka Dutt also joins the ���������episodic��������� fray with Om Shanti and has roped in Kaajal, Aditi Sharma and Nikhil for her film. ���������I play the role of a yuppie who comes across interesting events in her life. Mine is just one of the stories in the film,��������� says Aditi who���������s also making a comeback to T-town in this entertainer. Chapter 6, too is an episodic.
Earlier veteran filmmaker Vijaya Bapineedu had experimented with the concept of episodic film with Ahalya, but the film didn���������t work commercially. Perhaps the multiplex audiences can connect better with episodics, feel industrywallahs. ���������The Gen Z audience is game for variety. As filmmakers we should laud any novel effort. Primarily, all the characters in the episodic film should connect with the audience. The screenplay needs to be tight,��������� feels director Neelakanta.
But the big question remains: will this experiment be a money-spinning one?