Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 13, 2017)

Bollywood, it appears, is set to get its first cinematic universe with the makers of Fukrey considering creating spin-offs of individual characters. Four years after they first introduced Delhi boys, Honey, Choocha, Lali and Zafar to the world, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are set to copyright the characters. The development comes close on the heels of the success of Fukrey Returns, which hit screens last week.

A source tells mid-day that the decision was fuelled by the audience’s reception to the second installment. “The franchise enjoys tremendous success. The audience connects with the characters. By copyrighting them via the government website, the makers plan to develop individual properties. They may consider creating spin-offs or even entire series. It’s too early to say anything,” says the source.

Fukrey features Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Ali Fazal. It also stars Richa Chadha in her much-acclaimed avatar, Bholi Punjaban. Chadha, in a previous interview to midday had stated, “The audience holds on to a role that appeals to them. Even if I play a variety of roles, I am still asked to narrate the dialogues of Bholi Punjaban during press interviews.”

Confirming the development, the spokesperson says, “It’s incredible that people have loved the film and the franchise. Only rarely are characters etched in the memories of viewers. The makers thought it would be interesting to copyright the characters and create independent properties.”

The makers have already tied up with Diamond Comics for the creation of a comic book, Chacha Chaudhri And The Fukrey Returns.