Emraan Hashmi is all set to return to one of his most iconic roles, as he announced the release date of Awarapan 2 on Monday. The sequel to the 2007 cult film Awarapan will arrive in cinemas on April 3, 2026, the actor revealed via Instagram on his 46th birthday, along with a teaser of the film.

Hashmi, who turned 46 today, marked the occasion by unveiling the teaser and the release date on his Instagram handle. Captioning the post with a powerful line from the film, he wrote: “Bas mujhe kuch aur der zinda rakh… #Awarapan2 in cinemas, 3rd April 2026.”

Directed by Mohit Suri and produced under the Vishesh Films banner, Awarapan starred Hashmi alongside Shriya Saran and became a significant part of the 2000s pop culture wave. Known for its haunting soundtrack and brooding narrative, the film cemented Hashmi’s status as a romantic anti-hero.

The confirmation of a sequel comes after weeks of speculation, which were sparked earlier this month when Hashmi posted an animated teaser hinting at the film’s return.

In recent years, Hashmi has leaned back into mainstream cinema. In 2023, he notably played the antagonist in Tiger 3. He is also making his Telugu debut in the upcoming action film OG, co-starring Pawan Kalyan and Priyanka Mohan. Additionally, Hashmi will feature in G2, the sequel to Goodachari (2018), alongside Adivi Sesh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Madhu Shalini.

Hashmi was last seen in the web series Showtime, alongside Naseeruddin Shah, Mahima Makwana, and Mouni Roy.

Expanding his footprint in digital content, Hashmi is also headlining Ground Zero, a Kashmir-set BSF drama series.

With Awarapan 2, Hashmi’s return to one of his most-loved characters has sparked nostalgia among fans and added another big project to the actor’s packed slate.

Filmmaker A.R. Murugadoss has sparked excitement among fans by hinting at the possibility of a sequel to the blockbuster film Ghajini. This Tamil-language movie initially paved Murugadoss’s way into Bollywood with its Hindi adaptation starring Aamir Khan, which became a sensational hit.

The original 2005 Tamil film, featuring South star Suriya, was also a massive success, and the 2008 Hindi version significantly contributed to its nationwide popularity.

In a recent statement, producer Allu Aravind shared his desire to collaborate with Aamir Khan for Ghajini 2, intensifying the anticipation surrounding the sequel. Murugadoss noted, “There is a possibility for Ghajini 2. We have some ideas in mind and will discuss them further. If everything goes well, we could move forward with it in both Tamil and Hindi.” While he has a foundational concept for the sequel, he emphasized that a complete script has yet to be developed.

The plot of Ghajini revolves around Sanjay, a businessman suffering from anterograde amnesia, who seeks revenge on those responsible for the murder of his fiancée, Kalpana. Asin portrayed the role of Kalpana in both the Tamil and Hindi adaptations, contributing to the film’s emotional depth.

Murugadoss, acclaimed for his ability to craft engaging and impactful narratives, remarked on the positive impact that sequels and prequels can have on cinematic storytelling. He said, “In Hollywood, characters often return even if they’ve died, and there’s always the potential for a prequel. In Ghajini, we developed a character with memory loss and exceptional wealth, which gives us creative freedom to explore intriguing new storylines.”

Currently, Murugadoss is gearing up for the release of his latest Hindi film, Sikandar, featuring Salman Khan. He also shared reflections on a past interaction with Shah Rukh Khan, where he pitched the idea for his upcoming Tamil film Madharasi. He had approached Shah Rukh with the concept years ago but eventually adapted it for Sivakarthikeyan.

Sikandar, which includes a talented cast of Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, and others, is set to be released on March 30, aligning with the Eid festivities.

In a recent conclave, veteran Bollywood actor Jaya Bachchan expressed her strong disapproval of the title of Akshay Kumar’s film, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, branding it a “flop.” Her comments have sparked a response from the film’s producer, Prerna Arora, who shared her thoughts with Bollywood Hungama, stating that it hurt her to hear such remarks from someone she deeply admires.

In her defence, Prerna urged Jaya to look at the film’s box office success, saying, “As a huge fan of Jayaji, it’s disheartening to hear her dismiss our film in this way. She should check the box office figures; Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was one of the highest-grossing films of 2017, generating significant profits.”

Prerna continued by expressing her admiration for Jaya’s work, stating, “I can watch her classics like Guddi, Uphaar, Abhimaan, and Mili again and again—they bring me joy. So, it’s particularly hurtful to hear her criticize our film. I would love the chance to show it to her and discuss its significance.”

Addressing the choice of title, Prerna acknowledged the initial hesitance surrounding the word “toilet,” noting, “It was indeed a risky decision to incorporate it into a love story, but we ultimately embraced the boldness of the title. As a producer, taking risks is part of what makes cinema exciting. Jaya Ma’am has always taken risks in her roles, such as in Doosri Sita, where she portrayed a woman confronting her abusive husband.”

In her critique, Jaya Bachchan questioned the film title, saying, “Look at the name; would you watch such a movie? Is Toilet: Ek Prem Katha even a real title?” When she surveyed the audience about their interest in the film, very few raised their hands. She quickly concluded, “The film is a flop.”

Released in 2017 and helmed by director Shree Narayan Singh, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha addressed vital issues of sanitation in rural India and aimed to raise awareness about eradicating open defecation. The film earned a warm reception from critics and audiences alike, garnering an impressive ₹316.97 crore globally.