Ajay Devgn has reaffirmed his status as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars with the resounding box office success of Raid 2. The film, a sequel to the 2018 sleeper hit Raid, stormed into cinemas with a robust opening, collecting Rs 70.75 crore in its first four days, making it Devgn’s second-biggest post-pandemic opener after Singham Again (Rs 121.75 crore). This impressive performance not only marks a personal milestone for Devgn but also highlights the enduring appeal of sequels and franchises in the Hindi film industry.
Ajay Devgn’s Post-Pandemic Box Office: Sequels Lead the Pack
A close look at Devgn’s recent box office openers reveals a clear trend: sequels and franchise films consistently outperform his standalone or experimental projects. Here’s how his major releases have fared in their opening weekends since 2020:
- Singham Again (2024): Rs 121.75 crore
Raid 2 (2025): Rs 70.75 croreDrishyam 2 (2022): Rs 64.14 crore- Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020): Rs 61.93 crore
- Shaitaan (2024): Rs 54 crore
- Bholaa (2023): Rs 44.28 crore
- Maidaan (2024): Rs 22 crore (5 days)
- Runway 34 (2022): Rs 14.8 crore
- Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha (2025): Rs 6.75 crore
( Numbers as per Sacnilk)
Among these, sequels and franchise entries like Drishyam 2, Singham Again, and now Raid 2 have emerged as top openers, while original or offbeat films have struggled to match their numbers. This pattern underscores the strong audience pull of established cinematic universes.
Why Raid 2’s Success Matters
The original Raid won acclaim for its taut, fact-based narrative and Devgn’s intense, understated performance as IRS officer Amay Patnaik. Raid 2 builds on this goodwill, amplifying the action and drama while retaining the core appeal of its protagonist. The sequel’s opening weekend saw steady growth: after an opening day of Rs 19.25 crore, the film surged to Rs 18 crore on Saturday and peaked at Rs 21.5 crore on Sunday, its highest single-day haul. By Monday, the film had left other major releases like Kesari 2 and Jaat behind in opening collections
This robust performance demonstrates that audiences remain eager to revisit familiar characters, especially when sequels deliver heightened stakes and fresh narratives. Raid 2’s success is a testament to the power of brand loyalty and the appetite for well-crafted continuations.
The Franchise Formula: Still Bollywood’s Safest Bet
The triumph of Raid 2 comes at a time when Bollywood is experiencing a surge in sequels and franchises. Trade experts note that films like OMG 2, Gadar 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 have set the stage for this trend, with audiences flocking to theaters for stories anchored in established worlds. Devgn, in particular, has become a key figure in this “sequel economy,” with his franchise films consistently outperforming standalone projects.
The numbers speak for themselves: Devgn’s top post-pandemic openers are almost exclusively sequels, highlighting the commercial advantage of tapping into existing fan bases and narrative universes.
What Sets Devgn Apart
Ajay Devgn’s career strategy is marked by versatility and shrewd project selection. He seamlessly moves between genres-supernatural thrillers (Shaitaan), sports dramas (Maidaan), mass entertainers (Singham Again), and intense dramas (Drishyam 2)-while maintaining a strong foothold in franchises. This balance allows him to stay relevant across demographics and ensures a steady stream of high-earning releases.
Franchise films bring pre-release buzz, audience recall, and brand loyalty that original films often struggle to generate. Devgn’s deep understanding of this dynamic is evident in his packed slate of upcoming sequels.
The Road Ahead: A Sequel-Heavy Slate
Devgn’s future lineup reads like a “greatest hits” of Bollywood franchises:
- De De Pyaar De 2: Building on the surprise success of the 2019 rom-com, the sequel promises more of Devgn’s trademark humor and family drama.
- Son of Sardaar 2: A follow-up to the 2012 mass entertainer, expected to ramp up the action and comedy.
- Dhamaal 4: Continuing his association with the slapstick comedy franchise, Devgn returns for more ensemble chaos.
- Drishyam 3: With the second film a massive hit, anticipation is high for the next installment in this crime drama series.
- Golmaal 5: The Rohit Shetty-directed comedy universe remains one of Bollywood’s most successful, and a fifth film is highly awaited.
This sequel-heavy slate not only secures Devgn’s presence in high-visibility projects but also reinforces the commercial viability of franchises as a business model in Bollywood.
What This Means for Bollywood
The blockbuster run of Raid 2 is more than a personal win for Ajay Devgn-it signals to the industry that audiences are far from fatigued by sequels. As long as the content is engaging and stakes are raised, viewers remain invested in familiar worlds. The growing trend of building cinematic universes or recurring franchises is likely to continue, with Devgn’s career serving as a blueprint for success.
Importantly, Devgn’s choices demonstrate that sequels are not limited to action or comedy; crime dramas, romantic comedies, and even supernatural thrillers can thrive as franchises if the storytelling is strong.
Conclusion
With the massive success of Raid 2 and a pipeline filled with high-profile sequels, Ajay Devgn is cementing his legacy as Bollywood’s definitive sequel superstar. His strategic embrace of franchises-combined with his ability to deliver across genres-ensures he remains at the forefront of the industry’s biggest box office successes. For Bollywood, the message is clear: sequels, when done right, are still box office gold.
