Cinematic universes have become the latest formula in Indian cinema. Inspired by Hollywood, several filmmakers started building connected storylines and recurring characters to cash in on the trend. Bollywood also joined the race with YRF’s Spy Universe and Maddock Films’ Horror Comedy Universe. Both worked well till last year with films like War, Pathaan, Bhediya and Stree 2.

But the situation looks different this year. Audience interest in such repeated universe-based storytelling seems to be dropping. The formula of linking films without strong content is starting to backfire. The hype around the word “universe” alone is no longer enough to pull crowds to theatres.

Recent examples prove this change clearly. War 2 from YRF’s Spy Universe opened to poor talk and recorded one of the weak

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