Sidharth Malhotra OUSTED, P.S. Mithran On Board For NEW Standalone Film
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2012 blockbuster, Rowdy Rathore, has been officially shelved. After nearly three years in development, producers Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shabinaa Khan have decided to scrap Rowdy Rathore 2. However, the script is being repurposed into a brand-new standalone film, which has already found its director while the previously considered lead actor, Sidharth Malhotra, is reportedly out of the project.
Why Was The Sequel Scrapped?
The decision to cancel the sequel reportedly stems from issues regarding the intellectual property rights. Disney India, which co-owns the rights to the original film along with Bhansali following its acquisition of UTV Motion Pictures, was reportedly hesitant to greenlight the project. According to sources, this lack of commitment from Disney led the producers to abandon the idea of a direct sequel and instead move forward with a new, original story using the existing script as a foundation.
Director P.S. Mithran Joins, Sidharth Malhotra Exits
The new standalone film has already locked in a celebrated director from the Tamil film industry. P.S. Mithran, known for helming stylish and successful thrillers like Irumbu Thirai and Sardar, has been brought on board to direct this high-octane cop drama. While the director’s seat is filled, the lead role is now open. Sidharth Malhotra, who was said to be in early discussions for the part, is reportedly no longer being considered. Sources claim the makers have concerns about his box-office draw in a mass-action role and are now actively searching for a younger, more bankable star to play the larger-than-life police officer.
A New Standalone Film Rises
The script, originally penned by the legendary writer V. Vijayendra Prasad (of Baahubali and RRR fame), is now undergoing significant changes to remove any connection to the Rowdy Rathore universe. The goal is to create a fresh and powerful action entertainer that retains the mass appeal of the original Akshay Kumar blockbuster but stands on its own. Production for the new, untitled film is being planned to commence in early 2026.
About Rowdy Rathore
Rowdy Rathore is a 2012 action-comedy film directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ronnie Screwvala. Starring Akshay Kumar in a dual role and Sonakshi Sinha as the female lead, the film was a massive commercial success, celebrated for its high-energy action, catchy music, and memorable dialogues.
(Also read: Jolly LLB 3 First Song ‘Bhai Vakeel Hai’ OUT Now – Fans Cheer Akshay Kumar And Arshad Warsi’s Epic Face-Off )
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