From Drishyam 2 to F3: Fun and Frustration: Five South Indian Sequels Beyond High-Scale Movies That Became Audience Favourites

The trend of sequels became a popular strategy for filmmakers of large-scale films, with franchises like KGF, Baahubali, and Pushpa setting the tone for the industry. This trend soon extended to smaller films as well, many of which found success by capitalising on the sequel formula. In fact, over the recent weekend (March 27-28), theatres saw the release of four films, including direct sequels such as L2: Empuraan and Mad Square, as well as prequels like Robinhood and Veera Dheera Sooran. Beyond the high-profile successes of Baahubali, KGF, and Pushpa, there are several other South Indian sequels from the past decade that have resonated well with audiences. Here’s a look at five such films that made a mark.

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The sequel to the iconic 2013 Malayalam film Drishyam, starring Mohanlal, premiered directly on OTT on February 19, 2021. It garnered widespread praise for its gripping narrative and technical brilliance, continuing the success of its predecessor, which grossed over Rs 75 crore. The film's success led to remakes in Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. The makers have now announced a third part for the most acclaimed franchise.

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Released on March 29, 2024, Tillu Square saw Siddhu Jonnalagadda and Anupama Parameswaran return to the screen, continuing the fun-filled narrative of DJ Tillu (2022). Jonnalagadda, who co-wrote the first film, once again co-wrote the sequel, which, to the delight of audiences, was considered by many to surpass the original. Tillu Square was a box-office success, grossing Rs 126.75 crore worldwide.

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The highly anticipated sequel to the 2014 cult hit Jigarthanda, DoubleX was released on November 10, 2023. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj and starring Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah, DoubleX exceeded expectations by not only living up to the original's hype but also taking it a step further. The film grossed Rs 65 crore globally and was praised for its bold themes and western-influenced direction.

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A prequel to the 2017 hit Mufti, Bhairathi Ranagal hit theatres on November 15, 2024, with Shiva Rajkumar reprising his role as the notorious gangster. This neo-noir drama focused on the character’s backstory, creating a strong narrative foundation leading into Mufti. The film was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, grossing approximately Rs 30 crore at the box office.

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Released on May 27, 2022, F3 was the much-awaited sequel to the 2019 Telugu hit F2: Fun and Frustration. While it didn't match the success of its predecessor, it still garnered positive responses for its slapstick comedy and stellar performances by the lead cast, including Venkatesh, Varun Tej, and Tamannaah Bhatia. The film grossed around Rs 90 crore globally, marking it as a solid hit.

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