Leading Bollywood studios are rethinking their cinematic universe strategy after recent setbacks. Yash Raj Films and Maddock Films are reportedly scaling back ambitious franchise plans. What once aimed to replicate Hollywood success is now facing audience fatigue and rising production costs.
YRF’s Spy Universe gained momentum after Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan in 2023. The studio had planned interconnected stories featuring R&AW agents from films like Tiger and War. These projects were expected to dominate a large part of its theatrical releases.
However, Tiger 3 underperformed and War 2 failed to meet expectations. This affected the overall momentum of the Spy Universe. Sequels like Pathaan 2 and Tiger vs Pathaan are no longer in active development, according to industry reports.
At present, Alpha is the only YRF Spy Universe film moving ahead. The film stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh. It is scheduled for release on July 10, 2026. The studio appears to be taking a cautious approach.
Industry insiders believe audience preferences are shifting. Viewers are showing less interest in repetitive storytelling. Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2 has raised expectations with its focus on realism. This shift is influencing future content decisions.
Maddock Films is also facing challenges with its Horror Comedy Universe. The success of Stree 2 led to plans for an eight film franchise. However, recent developments suggest a change in direction.
Thamma received criticism for weak storytelling and forced connections. This impacted the studio’s long term plans. Reports indicate that the planned release slate has been reduced significantly.
Shakti Shalini, starring Aneet Padda, is the only project currently moving forward. It has reportedly been delayed to 2027. Other films like Bhediya 2, Stree 3, and Chamunda remain uncertain.
Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish 4 has also faced delays. Reports suggest issues related to VFX and production demands. These challenges are adding to the slowdown in large scale franchise projects.
The overall trend indicates a shift in strategy across Bollywood. Studios are focusing more on strong storytelling rather than large interconnected universes. This change reflects evolving audience expectations and industry realities.
