Bollywood's sequel queens

In 2009, the following article appeared on TOI:

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It seems that boys really do have all the fun, at least where Bollywood sequels are concerned.

That's what Bipasha Basu said when asked to comment on her not being cast in the sequel to Race. "In Bollywood, the heroines are never signed for sequels. It's a tradition. Just check the sequels. The guys get repeated, the girls don't. It's a man's world," the actress was quoted as saying, adding that she had no hard feelings about not being included in the film's second installment.

It's hardly surprising that Bipasha is so resigned to the male chauvinistic ways of the industry, says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. "Bollywood is still male-dominated, so it's easier to sell a sequel with the same all-male core star cast with different heroines," he explains. "Moreover, the sequel has to be bigger than the original, so it's safer to go with the original male cast," adds Taran.

It also boils down to the kind of roles actresses are given for these movies, says entertainment editor Indu Mirani. "The heroine is already with the hero at the end of the first film, so the element of suspense in the romantic angle is lost. So, they need a new girl in the new films. In Race, Bipasha is shown with Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna — what more is going to happen with her character?" she asks.

Add to that the fact that there's no immediate recall for actresses in these multi-starrer movies. "Everyone remembers the actors, but who remembers the actresses?" asks director Anees Bazmee, who's currently scripting the third installment of the Hera Pheri series. He adds that the probable success of the sequel depends on having the same male cast, but a different female cast.

"Since the sequel must be bigger, it makes sense for producers to get a bigger heroine for the film," he explains. While the male cast for Hera Pheri 4 has been confirmed — with Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty reprising their roles — the director still hasn't confirmed anyone for the female leads. "We're going to have two heroines. I have a pretty good equation with Bipasha because I worked with her on No Entry, but I will finish the script first and then confirm things," he says.

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But now, it seems times have changed! With Bipasha Basu returning to Raaz series & Race2 (even though her role has been reduced to just a cameo!), Sonakshi Sinha reprising her role in Dabangg2 & Priyanka Chopra getting back with full fledge roles in Don2 & Krrish3 & expressing her wish to be part of Fashion2, one can definitely say Bollywood has evolved.

However, there are still some exceptions to the list like for example Sajid Khan who got all the Housefull heroines replaced in the sequel & also Dhoom3 which will have Katrina Kaif in the even lead. Not to forget Jannat2 where the Bhatts ditched Sonal Chauhan for Esha Gupta.

Leave a comment & let us know what do you think about this sudden change in Bollywood?