We were among the first who break the news on March 7, that Awarapan 2 is in the making, before the official announcement was made on Emraan Hashmi’s birthday. Now we are with another update, but not good news for the fans. The much-awaited sequel to the cult classic Awarapan has hit an unexpected pause. Fans of Emraan Hashmi, who have been eagerly tracking updates around Awarapan 2, were recently greeted with speculation about a possible delay.
Those rumours have now been addressed directly by producer Mukesh Bhatt, who clarified that the postponement has nothing to do with box office competition or strategic release planning. Instead, the reason is far more personal and unavoidable — Emraan Hashmi suffered an injury during the film’s shoot, forcing the makers to reshuffle timelines.
Mukesh Bhatt’s clarification has put an end to widespread chatter suggesting that the film was moved to avoid clashing with some of the biggest releases on the calendar. The producer made it clear that health comes first, and the delay is purely production-driven.
Awarapan 2 Release Date Pushed
Addressing the situation while speaking to PTI, Mukesh Bhatt explained that Awarapan 2 could not stick to its planned April 2 release date after Emraan Hashmi met with an accident during the shoot. The injury was serious enough to require surgery, which immediately impacted the production schedule. Bhatt stated,
“The release date of Awarapan 2 has been shifted to either May or June because while shooting for the film, Emraan Hashmi met with an accident and he had to go through surgery. As a result, he isn’t allowed to do action for 45 days. So, all the action sequences will be performed later. I’m not scared of Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic.”
The statement firmly shuts down any narrative around fear of competition and reinforces that the delay is due to medical advice and safety concerns.
How Much Of Awarapan 2 Is Still Left To Shoot?
Mukesh Bhatt further revealed that the film is largely complete and only one schedule remains. According to him, approximately 20 days of shoot are still pending. This remaining portion is scheduled to be filmed in Malaysia in March, once Emraan Hashmi is medically cleared to resume action sequences.
Given the nature of Awarapan 2, which involves intense action and emotionally charged moments, the team has decided not to rush production. The focus, as per Bhatt, is to ensure that the actor recovers fully before returning to physically demanding scenes.
Awarapan 2 And The Legacy Of The Original Film
Awarapan 2 is the sequel to the 2007 action-romance Awarapan, which starred Emraan Hashmi in the lead. While the original film did not enjoy massive box office success upon release, it gradually gained cult status over the years. Its soulful music, philosophical undertones, and Emraan’s brooding performance struck a chord with audiences, especially younger viewers.
Over time, Awarapan has come to be regarded as one of Emraan Hashmi’s most defining roles. The announcement of a sequel naturally raised expectations, with fans eager to see how the story and character evolve years later.
Box Office Competition Rumours Addressed
The producer’s clarification comes amid intense speculation that Awarapan 2 was deliberately moved to avoid major box office clashes. At the centre of these rumours were two massive projects slated for release around the same period.
One of them is Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh. The film has already rewritten box office records, emerging as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time with earnings of over Rs 840 crore nett in India.
The other big release is Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, starring Yash and directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film is among the most anticipated pan-India projects of 2026 and is slated for a March 19 release.
Mukesh Bhatt made it clear that neither of these films influenced the decision. His statement, “I’m not scared of Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic,” was aimed squarely at dismissing the speculation.
Who’s Behind Awarapan 2 This Time?
While the original Awarapan was directed by Mohit Suri, the sequel sees a change at the helm. Awarapan 2 is being directed by Nitin Kakkar and written by Bilal Siddiqui.
The film also stars Disha Patani and veteran actress Shabana Azmi in key roles, adding further weight to the ensemble.
The creative shift suggests that while Awarapan 2 will honour the legacy of the original, it will also attempt to present a refreshed narrative suited to today’s audience.
Why The Delay May Actually Help The Film
While delays are often seen as setbacks, in this case, the pause could work in Awarapan 2’s favour. Emraan Hashmi’s return to full strength ensures that the action sequences are executed as envisioned. Rushing production might have compromised both safety and storytelling.
Additionally, moving the release to May or June could give the film a clearer window, allowing it to connect with its core audience without unnecessary distractions or speculation around box office clashes.
The delay of Awarapan 2 may have sparked multiple theories, but Mukesh Bhatt’s statement sets the record straight. The film has been pushed not due to fear of competition from massive projects like Dhurandhar or Toxic, but because Emraan Hashmi’s injury demanded time and care. With only one schedule left to shoot and a new release window being explored, the makers remain confident about delivering a sequel worthy of the original’s cult legacy.
For fans, the wait might be slightly longer, but it now comes with reassurance that the film’s delay is rooted in responsibility, not uncertainty. As Emraan Hashmi recovers and the final schedule gears up, Awarapan 2 continues to promise an emotionally intense return to a world that audiences never truly moved on from.
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