The recently released Awarapan 2 is performing well at the box office and has become Emraan Hashmi‘s highest-grossing film. But the path to making this sequel was not straightforward. Producer Vishesh Bhatt recently shared that even Emraan Hashmi was not completely convinced about making a sequel to the 2007 film when the idea was first discussed.
Vishesh Bhatt, in an interview with Hindustan Times, revealed that he had to convince Emraan Hashmi to come back as Shivam Pandit for Awarapan 2. The actor’s initial reaction was to ask why they were not making another Jannat film instead.
“Jannat came just after Awarapan, and a lot of learnings from why Awarapan didn’t work went into Jannat. And that was a success. Emraan said Awarapan is a beautiful film, but our hearts did break when it didn’t do well. So, why not Jannat? That is close to you, and it worked.”
An Emotional Decision Behind the Sequel
The first Awarapan, released in 2007, was a box office failure. It later gained a cult following over the years, but the commercial disappointment remained a part of its history.
When asked if making Awarapan 2 was a creative or business choice, Vishesh Bhatt called it an “emotional decision.” He explained that the creative side came from emotion, and business followed afterward.
Vishesh Bhatt felt strongly about bringing back the character of Shivam. He said, “There were so many layers and so much depth in that character that we had to bring him. He is a broken man, and we have all taken his pain for 18-19 years”.
How the Re-Release Trend Changed Things
Emraan Hashmi’s doubts about Awarapan 2 began to fade when the re-release market started showing positive results. Films that had failed at the box office during their original run were finding new audiences and doing well upon re-release.
Vishesh Bhatt shared that this trend made him feel he was onto something. He said, “When the re-release of films that had tanked started doing well, I felt like I was onto something. Emraan also softened his stance on the market”.
The producer also mentioned that the idea for the sequel came to him during the COVID-19 pandemic. He felt that drama was missing from big films, which were heavily relying on VFX and grand scale without strong emotional stories.
The Journey from Idea to Release
Awarapan 2 was announced last year and hit theaters on August 14, 2026, just before Independence Day. The film is directed by Nitin Kakkar and written by Bilal Siddiqui, who took over from the original film’s writer Shagufta Rafique.
The movie brings back Emraan Hashmi as the wounded hero Shivam Pandit, nearly 19 years after the original film. Disha Patani plays the female lead, marking her first on-screen collaboration with Emraan Hashmi.
Why Vishesh Bhatt Wanted to Make Awarapan 2
Vishesh Bhatt wanted to reclaim the failure of the first film. He said in an interview with SCREEN, “I wanted to reclaim the market and business side of Awarapan”.
He also spoke about the character’s depth, noting that Emraan Hashmi once told him that Shivam’s character is in his silences. The producer acknowledged that while the character has deeply moving moments, the sequel had to externalize some of those emotions for the big screen.
Bhatt also pointed out that watching a film on television for 19 years is different from watching it in a cinema hall. The silences that work on a small screen may not have the same impact in a theater, so the team had to keep that in mind while making the sequel.
Success of Awarapan 2
Awarapan 2 has become Emraan Hashmi‘s highest-grossing solo film in India. The film’s success has also encouraged producer Vishesh Bhatt to consider working on Jannat 3, with scripting work already beginning.
The positive response to the sequel has also sparked discussions about a possible Awarapan 3. Writer Bilal Siddiqui has hinted at the possibility, though he mentioned that detailed plans have not been discussed yet.
Emraan Hashmi’s return as Shivam Pandit has been well-received by audiences who grew up watching the original film. The sequel continues the story of the broken man who found a connection with God through the song “Tera Mera Rishta Purana” in the first part.
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The Legacy of Awarapan
Awarapan (2007) was directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Vishesh Films. Though it failed at the box office, it became a favorite among fans over the years. The film’s themes of redemption, love, and loss resonated with audiences long after its release.
The sequel brings back the emotional core of the original while updating the story for a new generation. With a new director and writer, Awarapan 2 aims to honor the legacy of the first film while giving fans something fresh.
The film is presented by Mukesh Bhatt and Vishesh Films, and produced by Vishesh Bhatt. It was released worldwide in theaters on August 14, 2026.
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