Highlights
- Bollywood studios are increasingly investing in films based on existing intellectual property to reduce box office risk.
- Projects such as King, Soorya, Ramayana: Part 1 and Raja Shivaji reflect the growing reliance on proven stories.
- Rather than producing scene-by-scene remakes, filmmakers are expanding franchises, adapting regional hits and reimagining historical and mythological narratives.
Bollywood's biggest productions are becoming bigger financial gambles than ever before. With budgets for leading Hindi films now crossing $29 million, studios are increasingly moving away from original concepts and toward stories that already have an established audience.
Whether through bestselling epics, regional blockbusters, historical figures or successful franchises, intellectual property (IP) has become a key part of the industry's strategy to limit risk in an increasingly unpredictable theatrical market. The 2026 release slate reflects this shift, with many of the year's most anticipated films built on stories audiences already know.
Familiar stories, lower risk
Studios are increasingly adapting successful films and well-known narratives instead of developing entirely new concepts.
One of the most closely watched projects is King, directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. The film is widely reported to draw inspiration from Luc Besson's Léon: The Professional, giving Shah Rukh Khan a darker action role while introducing Suhana Khan in a story with global recognition.
Regional cinema is also proving to be a valuable source of material. Sunny Deol's Soorya is the official Hindi adaptation of the acclaimed Malayalam thriller Joseph. By retaining original director M. Padmakumar, the production aims to preserve the strengths of the original while introducing it to a wider Hindi-speaking audience.
Meanwhile, Bejoy Nambiar's Tu Yaa Main, starring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor, takes inspiration from the international survival thriller The Pool. Its contained setting also makes it a comparatively economical production without compromising its thriller format.
Mythology and history are getting blockbuster treatment
Not every adaptation is a remake. Some of Bollywood's biggest investments are rooted in mythology and history, transforming familiar stories into large-scale theatrical spectacles.
Among them is Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash. Built around one of India's most enduring epics, the film combines large-scale visual effects with an international production approach aimed at attracting audiences both in India and overseas.
Another major project is Raja Shivaji, directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh. The bilingual Marathi-Hindi film explores the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, bringing one of India's most influential historical figures to the screen.
The remake formula is changing
Bollywood's approach to remakes has also evolved.
As regional and international films have become more accessible through streaming platforms, audiences are increasingly familiar with original versions. Rather than recreating films scene for scene, studios are now focusing on reinterpretations, sequels and franchise extensions that build on existing stories while offering something fresh.
That approach can be seen in projects such as Border 2, Drishyam 3 and Yash Raj Films' spy thriller Alpha, all of which expand established worlds instead of simply revisiting earlier successes.
Why intellectual property has become Bollywood's safest bet
For studios investing tens of millions of dollars in a single production, familiar intellectual property offers more than creative inspiration. It provides audience awareness long before a film reaches cinemas.
As production costs continue to rise and audience preferences become harder to predict, Bollywood's biggest studios are placing greater confidence in stories with proven appeal. From regional adaptations and global inspirations to mythological epics and franchise sequels, the 2026 slate suggests that recognisable IP has become one of the industry's most valuable assets.
