The Indian film industry has entered a new phase of spectacle, buoyed by bigger budgets and
filmmakers’ needs to reach pan-India audiences. The film schedule for mid-2025 and 2026 is
not based on smaller dramas as in the past but based on high-octane, franchise installments,
mythological epics, and sprawling spy thrillers. The films in this schedule, with budgets totaling
in the thousands of crores, are the beginning of a new period for Indian film that shows an
intention to compete on a global level.
The Spy Universe Dominance: YRF’s Female-Led Breakthrough
The Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe remains the most essential franchise in Bollywood,
gearing towards its next stage of strategic expansion that showcases scale and progressive
storytelling.
Alpha (December 25, 2025)
Alpha, the seventh installment of the franchise universe, is very likely the most awaited one
because of its importance—the first female-led spy film in the YRF universe. Starring leading
actress Alia Bhatt and rising actress Sharvari, the film is an action thriller about two
super-agents on a crucial mission. The film was cleverly teased through the post-credit scene of
War 2 and is directed by Shiv Rawail, a first-time director. The film has also been a smart
release on Christmas Day, further showcasing its ability to garner money at the box office. It has
also been reported that legendary actor Bobby Deol will also have a vital role, likely as the main
villain, which can only add belligerents to the film.
Mardaani 3 (February 27, 2026)
Continuing yet another established female-led action franchise, Rani Mukerji reprises her role
as the fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3. YRF is committing significant resources
to this sequel, settling on a darker, more brutal tale that will depend on Rani Mukerji’s leadership
of the solo-hero genre.
The Mythological Mega-Series and Grand Epics
The industry is pouring unprecedented resources into projects that reimagine Indian mythology
and history with top-tier technology and visual effects, aiming for global appeal.
Ramayana: Part 1 (November 6, 2026)
This movie is probably the largest undertaking in Indian film history, with a rumored budget
exceeding ₹800 crore. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita and
is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who is looking to provide a visually impressive and historically
specific take on the epic. Anticipation is great for a movie that may have been created in parts
over a span of multiple years and starts a decade-long commitment to a mythological IP.
Brahmāstra 2
After the success of the first film, the sequel promises to expand the Astraverse to an even
greater scale. It’s expected to explore the mythology of the Astras and the backstories of
important characters further. The film likely has an estimated budget likely to be more than ₹500
crore and an emphasis on high-end visual effects designed to rival top fantasy franchises in
Hollywood.
The Franchise Powerhouses: Sequels and Tent-Poles
The end of 2025 and early 2026 is dominated by sequels and franchise continuations featuring
Bollywood’s most bankable stars.
Dhurandhar (December 5, 2025)
This action thriller brings together Ranveer Singh’s high energy with veterans Sanjay Dutt and
R. Madhavan. This film will hit theaters in December and is expected to have action sequences
and a plot based on espionage, further establishing Ranveer’s credentials in the action genre.
Love & War (March 20, 2026)
This sweeping romantic drama is shaping up to be a major cinematic event, bringing together
director Sanjay Leela Bhansali with a cast led by Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.
The film is expected to release in March, in a very competitive month, and will feature Bhansali’s
trademark visual spectacle, intricate character story, and epic scale.
Other Anticipated Franchise Films
The sequel mania features Drishyam 3 (October 2, 2026), which continues Ajay Devgn’s
beloved character from the gripping mystery franchise, and Border 2 (January 22, 2026), which
will try to restore the patriotic vibe with a new generation of stars like Varun Dhawan joining
Sunny Deol. As well as that, highly anticipated sequels to franchises such as Krrish 4 and
Dabangg 4 are also firmly booked for 2026, ensuring that the box office will be full of
star-studded spectacle.