Indian cinema was not aware of the franchise or cinematic universe model, but it has embraced the model of a franchise or a cinematic universe in the 21st century. The West has been witnessing sequels since the 1930s and ’40s, but India has witnessed film franchises only in the last couple of decades. Of all the franchises that have emerged in India since then, the most successful is YRF’s Spy Universe.
The YRF Spy Universe, conceptualized by Aditya Chopra, is now India’s highest-grossing film franchise, grossing approximately Rs. 2900 crore at the global box office. This includes a record Rs. 1050 crore from ‘Pathaan’, starring Shah Rukh Khan, and Rs. 1366 crore from the ‘Tiger’ series films featuring Salman Khan. ‘War’, starring Hrithik Roshan, rounds out the franchise with Rs. 475 crore in worldwide earnings.
The films were stand-alone until 2023, beginning with ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ (2012), then followed by ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ and ‘War’. However, the franchise actually came together with ‘Pathaan’, which joined the films with crossovers and cameos in 2023 and then was continued into ‘Tiger 3’ at the end of the same year.
Before the Spy Universe’s rise, ‘Baahubali’ was the top-grossing Indian franchise, with Rs. 2300 crore from two films. Other franchises that followed were ‘Pushpa’ (Rs. 2000 crore), ‘KGF’ (Rs. 1500 crore), and Rohit Shetty’s ‘Cop Universe’ (Rs. 1430 crore). Spy Universe succeeded because it was multi-pronged, with standalone films within the larger universe, rather than just relying on sequels. Star power of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan helped propel it ahead of other franchises.
The Spy Universe is eyeing the Rs. 3000-crore mark, and maybe Rs. 4000 crore, considering the two major releases lined up for the future. ‘War 2’, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, will hit the screens in October, high on expectations, for it’s a pan-India film. Later this year will be on December 25, when the first female-led film of the franchise, ‘Alpha’, hits the screens, featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.
