Veteran film producer Mukesh Bhatt has formally addressed the swirling rumors regarding the rescheduling of his upcoming sequel, Awarapan 2. While industry insiders suggested the film was being moved to avoid a high-stakes showdown with big-ticket releases like Dhurandhar 2 and Yash’s Toxic, Bhatt has clarified that the decision is purely logistical, stemming from a medical emergency involving the film’s lead actor, Emraan Hashmi.
Speaking to the press, Bhatt made it clear that he is not intimidated by the competition from other major franchises. “I’m not scared of Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic,” Bhatt stated, refuting claims that the April release date was scrapped to dodge the box-office heat generated by Ranveer Singh’s record-breaking Dhurandhar series or the pan-India hype surrounding Yash’s latest project. He emphasized that the Vishesh Films legacy has a dedicated audience that remains loyal regardless of the surrounding market noise.
The primary driver behind the delay, according to the producer, was an unfortunate on-set accident. Emraan Hashmi reportedly sustained a significant injury during the filming of an action sequence, which necessitated immediate surgery. Consequently, medical professionals have mandated a strict 45-day recovery period during which Hashmi is prohibited from performing any physical stunts. This recovery timeline has stalled the final 20-day shooting schedule, which includes several pivotal action scenes.
Rather than compromising on the quality of the film or utilizing body doubles for the remaining portions, the production team has opted to postpone the theatrical launch to a May or June 2026 window.
This extension allows Hashmi to fully recover before the crew heads to Malaysia in March to complete the final leg of production. The sequel, directed by Nitin Kakkar, aims to build on the cult status of the 2007 original, featuring a cast that includes Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi.
As the industry watches the 2026 release calendar shift, Bhatt’s “quality over speed” approach signals a confidence in the Awarapan brand. Despite the delay, the production remains optimistic that the film’s emotional core and the return of the iconic character Shivam Pandit will be more than enough to hold its own, even in a year dominated by massive cinematic clashes. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
