This third wave of blockbuster sequels is about to take over Tollywood

Once upon a time, the true mark of a hit movie was a theatrical run of 100, 200, or even 365 days. Those were the days when longevity meant legacy. Fast forward to now, and success is measured differently. Instead of celebrating year-long runs, Tollywood is now riding high on another formula—sequels, and more specifically, third parts of massive franchise hits.

The trend of trilogies has officially gripped the Telugu film industry. With audiences hungry for familiar characters and extended storylines, filmmakers are more than happy to serve up multi-part sagas. For producers, it’s a proven box office goldmine, and for fans, it’s an emotional return to their favourite cinematic worlds. With so much buzz surrounding sequels, many directors and stars are greenlighting third installments of already successful franchises. Some are already on the floors, while others are in the pipeline. Let’s dive into the biggies that are promising a “triple treat.”

Pushpa franchise: Still rising, still roaring

Allu Arjun and Sukumar’s collaboration has never missed the mark. From Arya in 2004 to Arya 2 in 2009, the duo cemented their hitmaker status. But it was Pushpa: The Rise in 2021 that took their combo to pan-India heights. The rustic, intense role of Pushparaj earned Allu Arjun a National Award for Best Actor, while the film itself became a raging hit across languages. Its sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule, released on December 5, 2024, shattered records by grossing over Rs. 1800 crore worldwide.

During the promotional run of Pushpa 2, both Allu Arjun and Sukumar confirmed that the story won’t end here. Yes, a third part is in the works. Tentatively titled Pushpa: The Roar, it promises to elevate the intensity even more. Alongside that, Sukumar has hinted that an Arya 3 is also on the cards—another sequel that fans are dying to see. However, with Allu Arjun currently tied up with Trivikram and Atlee’s films, it’s still unclear which project will hit the floors first. Either way, fans are getting a triple dose of Stylish Star.

Enter the DJ Tillu franchise—a modern cult comedy with mad energy. The first part DJ Tillu turned Siddhu Jonnalagadda into a quirky sensation. Its sequel Tillu Square proved he wasn't a one-hit wonder. And now, the most anticipated chaos of all: Tillu Cube is officially on the cards. Similarly, MAD turned into an unexpected campus comedy hit, and with MAD Square and a third installment in development, the laughs are far from over.

So whether you're here for the massy madness of Pushparaj or the witty madness of Tillu and MAD, Tollywood's trilogy game is levelling up. And if part one was fun, part three might just blow the roof off.