Mumbai: Unlike in the West where films such as Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, The Fugitive, and Downton Abbey made successful crossovers from television to the big screen, the recent trend in India of adapting successful intellectual properties (IPs) from TV and streaming platforms for theatrical releases has failed to garner much success in the box office.

Earlier too, 'Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan' (2023), 'Office Office (Chala Mussaddi..Office Office)' and 'Chhota Bheem And The Curse Of Damyaan' - a live action film adaptation - didn't work. Film adaptations of successful IPs of TV and streaming platforms have relied more on nostalgia and familiarity than on creating a cinematic experience on familiar ground, producers, distributors, and film trade analysts told ET.

This September, Excel Entertainment plans to issue the film adaptation of its web series 'Mirzapur, titled Mirzapur: The Movie'. A challenging aspect of film adaptations of successful IPs of TV and streaming platforms is they appear like extended versions of original medium of storytelling, according to producers.

"Television and OTT IPs enjoy strong recall, but theatrical success depends on scale, novelty and a compelling big-screen experience," said Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director, Karmic Films. "When adaptations resemble extended episodes rather than cinematic events, audiences prefer to consume them at home instead of paying for a theatre visit".

"Without a clear upgrade in storytelling, production value and positioning, familiarity alone does not translate into box-office footfalls," he added. 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain: Fun On The Run' saw a tepid response at the box office. According to box office research firm Sacnilk, the film, made on a budget of Rs 10 crore, managed to collect less than Rs 2 crore.

"The idea behind making a film based on our serial Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain! was its long and successful run on television," said Vihaan Kohli, head of content, Edit II Productions, the movie producer. "There is a following for serial, which has made it a successful IP for us. We wanted to recreate the same magic on big screen." Besides lacking cinematic language, producers said film adaptations aren't strategically planned in terms of target audiences.

"Film adaptations of successful IPs of TV and web series are not strategically planned," said Anjali Bhushan, founder, Yantra Films, a label of film production company Mahakaal Vibes Studios. "Makers need to conduct proper research by studying market before embarking on cinematic adaptations. A key reason these casual adaptations aren't cinematic in nature is because they are not aimed at a target audience."

"It is important to consider the language and sensibilities of each subculture and film-viewing habits across target groups. As makers fail to do their R&D, these adaptations lack a strategic point of view," she said.