Awarapan 2: Why Didn’t Mohit Suri Direct Emraan Hashmi’s Sequel? Vishesh Bhatt Reveals The Reason

Emraan Hashmi’s Awarapan 2 has finally reached cinemas, bringing back one of his most loved characters, Shivam. The sequel to the 2007 cult favourite released on August 14, 2026, and has opened to a positive response from the masses.

Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the film has also taken on a major box office clash with Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947. Despite the clash, Awarapan 2 has managed to make a strong start and has already crossed the Rs 80 crore mark in its first weekend. But there has been one question among fans ever since the sequel was announced.

Why didn’t Mohit Suri, who directed the original Awarapan, return for the sequel? The first film is closely associated with Suri and Emraan Hashmi. So, naturally, the change in director created curiosity. Now, producer Vishesh Bhatt has explained what actually happened.

Vishesh Bhatt Explains Why Mohit Suri Didn’t Direct Awarapan 2

In an interview with India Today, Vishesh Bhatt opened up about the decision to bring Nitin Kakkar on board for Awarapan 2. According to Bhatt, the decision wasn’t the result of a fallout or creative differences. Instead, it happened organically. Bhatt explained that he had previously been deeply involved with Jannat. Soon after the film’s release, Jannat 2 was being made, and he had already given a lot to that franchise. He said,

“So I said, ‘I don’t want to.’ I was part of other films in the producing capacity, but I was not up for doing it again. So, it just came out organically. I think the timing was an important part of that.”

His explanation suggests that the decision was more about timing and allowing the new story to develop naturally rather than trying to recreate the exact combination behind the original.

There Were No Creative Differences With Mohit Suri

One of the biggest takeaways from Vishesh Bhatt’s comments is his clarification about his equation with Mohit Suri. The producer made it clear that there were no creative differences between the two. Bhatt revealed that Mohit Suri was busy working on another project. The director had discussed the situation with him, and the possibility of collaborating on Awarapan 2 simply didn’t materialise.

Bhatt explained, “’Not this.’ That didn’t happen. He wasn’t thinking, and I was already cooking this for a while.”

The statement makes it clear that there was no dramatic split between the filmmaker and producer. Instead, the sequel developed at a time when Suri was occupied elsewhere, while Bhatt had already been working on the new story. That eventually led to Nitin Kakkar stepping into the director’s chair.

Why Nitin Kakkar Was Chosen For Awarapan 2

The change in director also allowed the sequel to establish its own identity. While Awarapan became known for Mohit Suri’s intense storytelling and emotional treatment, Awarapan 2 had to continue Shivam’s journey while also introducing new shades to the story.

Vishesh Bhatt wanted the sequel to evolve organically rather than simply recreate what worked in the first film. This was particularly important because Awarapan had developed a cult following over the years. The original didn’t perform strongly at the box office when it was released in 2007, but its music, performances and emotional storyline helped it gain a much larger following later. The sequel therefore had the difficult task of respecting that legacy while still giving audiences something new.

Emraan Hashmi Returned As Shivam

For fans, the biggest constant in Awarapan 2 is Emraan Hashmi. The actor has returned as Shivam, the character that became one of the defining roles of his career.

Bhatt also spoke about the preparation required from Hashmi for the sequel. According to the producer, Emraan started shooting for Awarapan 2 after completing Tiger. The role demanded significant physical and emotional energy from the actor. Bhatt said,

“It takes a lot of an actor’s energy to grip because it’s a character that talks through his silences.“

That description also explains why Shivam continues to be such an important part of the franchise. The character isn’t dependent on lengthy dialogues to communicate his emotions. Much of his journey is expressed through silence, body language and his internal struggle.

New Shades In The Music And Story

Vishesh Bhatt also revealed that the makers wanted to introduce different shades into the sequel. Music remains a crucial part of the Awarapan universe, and the team brought composer Vishal Mishra on board to recreate the mood associated with the franchise while giving it a fresh identity.

The original film’s music has remained one of its biggest strengths, with its songs continuing to enjoy a strong fan following even years after release. For the sequel, the challenge was therefore not simply to repeat that sound but to create music that could work for a new chapter in Shivam’s life. The casting approach was also expanded. Bhatt said, “We like introducing people also. So, wherever we got a chance, we did it.”

That philosophy can be seen in the sequel’s ensemble, which includes several new faces alongside established performers.

Awarapan 2 Has A Strong Supporting Cast

Apart from Emraan Hashmi, the sequel features Disha Patani as the female lead and Shabana Azmi in a key negative role. The cast also includes Suvinder Vicky, Vijayant Kohli, Atul Kumar, Aniruddh Rawal, Puran Gabbi, Barun Chandra, Rukhsar Rehman and others.

The film also marks the feature film acting debut of Paresh Rawal’s son, Aniruddh Rawal. With the new cast members and a different director, Awarapan 2 clearly attempts to expand the franchise rather than simply recreate the 2007 film.

Awarapan 2’s Box Office Journey

Awarapan 2 released in theatres on August 14, 2026, and has opened amid significant expectations. The film has already crossed the Rs 84.31 crore in Weekend 1, and has reportedly recovered its budget.

That makes the sequel an important release for Emraan Hashmi, who has been waiting for a major clean theatrical success. The film’s performance is particularly notable because it is facing competition from Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947.

However, the positive response from the masses has helped Awarapan 2 establish itself strongly during its opening weekend.

What Is Next For Mohit Suri?

While Mohit Suri didn’t direct Awarapan 2, the filmmaker is currently preparing for another major project. Suri is set to reunite with the Saiyaara pair, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, for his next romantic film.

His previous film Saiyaara emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of 2025 and helped establish Ahaan and Aneet as one of the most talked-about young on-screen pairs. The upcoming project will therefore be another interesting chapter in Suri’s career, particularly after the success of Saiyaara.

Conclusion

Mohit Suri not returning for Awarapan 2 was always going to raise questions, considering his association with the original film. However, Vishesh Bhatt’s explanation makes it clear that the decision wasn’t driven by creative differences or a fallout.

Instead, the sequel developed organically, with timing playing an important role. Mohit Suri was working on another project, while Bhatt had already been developing the new story. That eventually opened the door for Nitin Kakkar to take the franchise forward.

For Awarapan 2, the focus ultimately remained on bringing Emraan Hashmi back as Shivam while giving the story, music and supporting cast a fresh direction. And with the sequel now enjoying a strong opening at the box office, the decision appears to have given the franchise a new chapter of its own.

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