Is this why sequels aren't working in Bollywood anymore?

Mumbai: It generally isn't the best of times for Bollywood films courtesy demonitisation, but as they say, good content will always survive. 'Rock On!! 2,' which was the first film to release post pm Narendra Modi's decision delegalise 500 and 1000 rupee denominations overnight, bombed colossally, making it one of the biggest disasters in recent times, alongside the likes of 'Mohenjo Daro' and 'Mirzya'.

A couple of weeks down the line, the same seems to have fallen upon two other November sequels, 'Force 2,' which is performing way below expectations, and 'Tum Bin II,' which has opened dismally.

But can we really blame all of it on demonitisation? The makers of 'Great Grand Masti,' another 2016 disaster, put the blame on a censor copy of the film leaking, a week prior to its release. While a leak as that sure can affect the collections of a film to a great extent, but were the content to be good, wouldn't the audience be keen to catch the concerned film on the big-screen?

Films like 'Jai Gangaajal,' or 'Rock On!! 2' itself, had amazing buzz prior to their releases, but were rejected despite of it.

The idea behind a sequel used to be take forward the legacy of a successful film, for obvious and deserved monetary optimisation as well catering to the audience's immense recall value.

While sequels to films as a 'Dabangg,' a 'Don,' a 'Dhoom.' film could be justified owing to their immense potential, when films whose prequels themselves weren't critical or commercial successes, or developed a later cult, a la 'Andaaz Apna Apna,' get sequels, there's skepticism involved throughout.

Even amid the current scenario, Akshay Kumar could pull a winner in 'Housefull 3,' thanks to the massive fan-following that the franchise and the star himself, commands.

With the likes of 'Golmaal Again,' Shankar's '2.0,' starring Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar, and SS Rajamouli's 'Baahubali: The Conclusion,' sequels expected to sail through with commendable ease, there's also a 'Freaky Ali' sequel that's reportedly in the making.

It remains to be seen if the lull is temporary, or the audience have become wary of mediocre content.