In an industry where franchises have become the most reliable formula for box office success, one name has consistently emerged as the flagbearer of this trend — Ajay Devgn. Over the past decade, the versatile actor has built an impressive repertoire of successful film series, effortlessly balancing intense thrillers, slapstick comedies, and high-octane action dramas. Now, with a packed lineup of sequels and franchise installments slated for the next few years, Devgn has cemented his position as the undisputed Sequel King of Bollywood.
A Legacy of Blockbuster Franchises
Ajay Devgn’s tryst with franchises began with the cult comedy Golmaal, directed by Rohit Shetty. The 2006 film was a surprise blockbuster, and its success spawned three sequels — Golmaal Returns (2008), Golmaal 3 (2010), and Golmaal Again (2017). Each film built upon its predecessor’s popularity, making it Bollywood’s most successful comedy franchise. With Golmaal 5 now officially in development, Devgn continues to be the face of this beloved series.Following the roaring success of Golmaal, Devgn struck gold again with the Singham franchise. Starting with Singham in 2011, where he played the righteous and fearless cop Bajirao Singham, the film established a new benchmark for action entertainers. Its sequel, Singham Returns (2014), was an even bigger hit, and now Singham Again, the third installment, is poised to take the franchise to unprecedented heights. Part of Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, the film will see Devgn reprise his iconic role alongside Ranveer Singh and Akshay Kumar, making it one of the most awaited films in Indian cinema.His association with thrillers also paid rich dividends with Drishyam. The 2015 Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam film won praise for its gripping narrative and Devgn’s restrained performance. The sequel, Drishyam 2, released in 2022, not only lived up to expectations but surpassed them, becoming a massive box office hit. Drishyam 3 is already scheduled for October 2026, promising another layer of suspense and intrigue.Dhamaal, another comic caper series Devgn joined in its third installment, Total Dhamaal (2019), proved to be a family entertainer that clicked with audiences across demographics. The fourth part of the franchise, Dhamaal 4, is now confirmed for an Eid 2026 release, further consolidating Devgn’s sequel dominance in Bollywood.Raid, the 2018 crime drama inspired by a real-life IT raid, turned into an unexpected success story. This year’s Raid 2 continued the story, taking the franchise forward and becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2025. The possibility of extending this series further remains open, given its popularity.Adding a new feather to his franchise cap, Devgn’s Shaitaan (2024) was a surprise hit that blended supernatural horror with psychological drama. Starring Jyotika, R. Madhavan, and Janki Bodiwala, the film revolved around a family’s harrowing ordeal with black magic. Its remarkable box office performance ensured that talks of a sequel surfaced soon after its release.PeepingMoon.com recently reported that Shaitaan 2 has been formally greenlit and is expected to go on floors in early 2026. Directed once again by Vikas Bahl, with Aamil Keeyan Khan returning as the writer, the sequel will shift its eerie setting to Konkan, a region infamous for its black magic folklore. Interestingly, it won’t be a remake of the Gujarati film Vash Level 2, despite rumors. Instead, the film will chart an original narrative, promising to deepen the franchise’s chilling premise and scare quotient.This move makes Shaitaan Devgn’s latest franchise, marking his sixth active film series — a feat no other Bollywood actor currently matches.
An Unparalleled Franchise Slate
As things stand, Ajay Devgn’s upcoming lineup of sequels is unmatched. Here’s a look at what the next two years hold for the actor:
- Son of Sardaar 2 — releasing July 25, 2025 with
Sanjay Dutt , Mrunal Thakur and Mukul Dev. - De De Pyaar De 2 — releasing November 14, 2025 with
Rakul Preet Singh and R Madhavan. - Drishyam 3 — scheduled for October 2, 2026 with
Shriya Saran and Tabu. - Dhamaal 4 — arriving Eid 2026 with
Arshad Warsi , Ritiesh Deshmukh and Jaaved Jaaferi. - Shaitaan 2 — aiming for a 2026 production start
- Golmaal 5 — expected to release in 2027 with Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Kemmu.
Add to this an original action-adventure film titled Ranger, directed by Mission Mangal fame Jagan Shakti, and Devgn’s slate offers a balanced mix of tried-and-tested franchises and fresh storytelling.As Bollywood increasingly leans on franchises to drive its box office, no star seems better positioned to dominate this space than Ajay Devgn. With over seven franchise films lined up over the next 24 months, he isn’t just participating in the sequel race — he’s leading it.Devgn’s ability to spot potential franchises, nurture them, and ensure consistent audience interest is a masterclass in career strategy in today’s franchise-driven industry. His diverse lineup ensures that whether audiences seek action, comedy, thrill, or horror, there’s a sequel starring Ajay Devgn coming soon to meet that demand.As Shaitaan 2, Golmaal 5, Drishyam 3, and others roll out in the next two years, one thing is certain: Ajay Devgn isn’t just Bollywood’s Sequel King — he’s its Franchise Emperor in the making.
