Introduction
Post-pandemic, the success of Pathaan, Vikram and Sooryavanshi inspired several producers and filmmakers to build their own cinematic universes. While there was always a tendency to turn popular titles into recurring franchises, the trend has now taken a more defined shape.
There is a conscious effort to create an additional layer of connection between films that goes beyond the presence of familiar stars. These narratives are designed to push every release in an environment where audiences have become increasingly selective about the movies they want to experience on the big screen, compared to those they would like to enjoy from the comfort of their home.
Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), YRF Spy Universe, Lokesh Cinematic Universe, Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe and Ayan Mukerji’s Astraverse are some examples of this modern-day shift. Each of them has managed to build its own loyal audience. However, most of them are currently scattered because of underwhelming responses, massive delays, and a lack of overall clarity.
As we approach the end of 2025, it’s a good time to analyse their current standing and future expectations.
Maddock Horror Comedy Universe
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to call it one of the most anticipated and steady universes in India, which truly found its rhythm last year with the success of Munjya and Stree 2. The blend of immersive folklore with relatable characters placed in unexpected situations made the films naturally humorous, approachable and whimsical at the same time. Their massive response led Maddock to announce a full slate of releases lined up till 2028, with the next major title being Thamma, which released this year.
Marketed as the first love story within the horror comedy universe, Thamma generated considerable curiosity at the time of its announcement. However, the excitement soon turned into cautious speculation once the trailer and songs started dropping, leading up to the release. While the film became a commercial success, it failed to take the audience on a ride like the previous ventures, making it an average experience for the theatre-goers.
On the contrary, what created a significant buzz online was the announcement that Aneet Padda would be headlining Shakti Shalini, the next film in the universe. As per the original schedule, it was expected to be released by the end of this year, but it has now been shifted to 2026. Aneet Padda is riding high on the success of her debut film (Saiyaara), and her inclusion has certainly kept the momentum and curiosity alive for this universe.
YRF Spy Universe
The announcement of this universe came alongside the release of Pathaan — a film that has etched itself in the history books. It truly marked the return of Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen after a four-year gap, causing unprecedented excitement among audiences. While YRF’s previous spy films, Tiger and War, already enjoyed a massive fan base, the arrival of Pathaan signalled that this universe was on track to become one of the biggest in India.
Unfortunately, it has hit a roadblock as the following films, Tiger 3 and War 2, failed to recreate a similar impact (or even half of it) at the box office or among audiences. It has created confusion regarding the future of this universe, with several rumoured spin-offs and the much-hyped face-off between Tiger and Pathaan put on hold.
Alpha remains the only film currently in the pipeline from the universe, which was initially planned for release towards the end of this year, but has now been postponed to April 2026, since the VFX work requires additional time. As per recent reports, Aditya Chopra is aiming to bring in cameos from Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan and Salman Khan as Tiger, alongside Hrithik Roshan as Kabir. Even though the writing of their cameos is currently underway, there are certainly efforts being put in to leave no stone unturned.
Lokesh Cinematic Universe
Lokesh Kanagaraj has climbed quite a few ladders in quick succession and has become a roaring sensation among the new wave of directors. From showcasing his command over the craft with Maanagaram to finding a mainstream audience with Kaithi, he went from strength to strength, collaborating with the biggest stars like Vijay and Kamal Haasan. Along the way, the sparks of a universe began to form with Vikram and grew stronger with Leo, both tying their worlds back to Kaithi.
However, due to continuous delays and unexpected shifts, the universe is slowly losing charm and slipping out of public attention. The shoot for Kaithi 2 was originally expected to begin after Leo, which became a massive commercial success but received a mixed reaction from audiences and critics. Despite this hiccup, the anticipation for Kaithi 2 remained high but was short-lived as Lokesh got the opportunity to collaborate with Rajinikanth — a chance he grabbed with both hands.
Released this year, the hype and theories surrounding Coolie were unending. Sadly, it turned out to be equally disappointing as the mix of interesting and routine ideas never fully came together. Now, after months of contrasting reports ranging from Lokesh directing Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth together to stories of budget and salary disputes, Kaithi 2 finally seems to be on track, although on a delayed timeline, since Lokesh is currently occupied with his acting debut in Arun Matheswaran’s DC.
Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe
Believe it or not, this is one of the most star-studded universes, which once had everything going for it, but today it sits fairly out of the conversation. It all began with Ajay Devgn’s explosive entry as Singham in the climax of Simmba, followed by the post-credit scene teasing Akshay Kumar as Sooryavanshi. The announcement sent audiences into a frenzy, especially back in 2018 when the wave of cinematic universes and crossovers had not yet taken over the industry.
The chatter only grew louder with Sooryavanshi, which brought audiences back to theatres during the uncertain post-pandemic period. It served as the quintessential commercial entertainer, uniting beloved stars and delivering a solid theatrical experience. At the time, Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe felt like a knight in shining armour for the industry. While there were a few overlaps and inconsistencies in overall continuity, the entertainment quotient often compensated for those gaps.
Sadly, that silver lining went missing with Singham Again. The sheer increase in the number of stars and the expanded canvas pulled the film away from its core, leaving it distant from its earlier appeal. Even the last-minute, half-baked cameo of Salman Khan as Chulbul Pandey — meant to tease a future crossover — failed to land the intended punch. With Singham Again having been released last year and no updates on how the universe will progress next, the franchise currently remains in limbo as Rohit Shetty is now shooting his next project with John Abraham.
Ayan Mukerji’s Astraverse
Regardless of its final output and the polarising response it garnered, Brahmastra Part One: Shiva remains one of the most novel attempts at world-building in Indian cinema. The journey of a common man, discovering his superpowers and purpose of existence — woven together with mythological elements — was always going to be an exciting proposition. While the film’s VFX succeeded in capturing the audience’s imagination, viewers were left disappointed and unfulfilled by its haphazard storytelling and dialogue, especially considering the time and investment that went into the project.
Still, the climax of Part One left a strong impression and created genuine anticipation for the upcoming instalments. Ayan Mukerji had also assured fans that the wait would not be long. However, his decision to direct War 2 invariably pushed the timeline further. This move reportedly caused a rift between him and his mentor Karan Johar at Dharma Productions, as he announced the future timelines independently. Plus, there were reports suggesting that he was on the lookout for a new production house to back his vision.
At present, there is no credible update on when production will begin. While Ranbir Kapoor had mentioned in a press interaction earlier this year that Ayan would start work on Brahmastra Part 2 after War 2, the situation has shifted considerably following the latter’s underperformance.
Conclusion
The future of these universes will leave a lasting mark on the Indian film industry. With each having the potential to create a surge at the box office as well as capture the audience’s interest, they can truly help expand the magic and love for Indian stories. For now, it’s best to remain cautiously hopeful and believe that strong storytelling will lead them ahead.
Comments
Post a Comment