New Delhi, Nov. 8 -- From Hollywood's Marvel Cinematic Universe to India's ambitious adaptation of Ramayana, the film industry appears increasingly interested in building franchises rather than making standalone films. Sequels, spin-offs, crossovers and interconnected cinematic universes have become a major part of how studios plan their biggest releases.

Two upcoming and recent examples underline this trend. Marvel Studios' Avengers: Doomsday brings together characters from different corners of its cinematic universe, while Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana has been planned as a two-part theatrical saga, with its makers also considering the possibility of expanding it further.

The question, however, is whether the industry is becoming too depen...