In recent years, Indian films have increasingly been made in two parts, raising the question of why movies are being produced in this format. While sequels to hit films are common, the trend now involves planning and producing films as two-part projects from the start.

Let’s decode the trend.

The idea of making a film in two parts isn’t new, but it gained significant prominence with the blockbuster hit “Baahubali,” directed by S.S. Rajamouli. With a focus on detailed storytelling, the film was planned in two parts: Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion, and both became blockbusters.

Baahubali Part 1 won hearts for its storytelling, visuals, presentation, dialogues, screenplay, and climax. By sustaining immense narrative momentum, the second part met the same domestic and international reception, rewriting box office history.

Why Two-Part Films Work

One main reason is the detailed storytelling and grand scale. When films are divided into two parts, the story gets enough time to explore layers of characters and the narrative.

The other reason is the cliffhanger factor. For example, Baahubali: The Beginning ended with the question “Kattappa ne Baahubali ko kyu maara?”. When the film was released, audiences wondered about the answer until Part 2 came out. This curiosity factor also drives viewers to the theater for the second part, helping guarantee a record-breaking box office opening for the follow-up.

The franchise value: When the first part connects with audiences, it forms an immediate brand fandom. This existing franchise value significantly minimizes financial risks for studios financing high-budget spectacles.

Given the success of more two-part films, producers are choosing to make grand-scale films in two parts as a safe option that can guarantee success.

Following the benchmark set by Rajamouli, filmmakers have aggressively embraced this template. Notable examples that successfully utilized this exact strategy include:

K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) & K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022)
Pushpa: The Rise (2021) & Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024)
Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) & Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023)
Dhurandhar (2025) & Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026): Aditya Dhar’s high-octane spy duology created history, grossing over ₹3,200 crore worldwide.

Highly Anticipated Upcoming Part 2 Installments

Several major franchises have successfully deployed their foundational first chapters and currently have their highly anticipated conclusions either scheduled or in active development:

Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023) & Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam
Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022) & Its Upcoming Sequels
Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2
Devara: Part 1 & Devara: Part 2

The idea of two-part films mostly works, but this format also brings a creative challenge: the first part must sustain and win hearts with its content and create enough curiosity for the sequel to work. As Indian cinema experiments with scale and storytelling, two-part films are steadily emerging as a prominent new formula in India.