The much-awaited teaser of Awarapan 2 has finally been unveiled, bringing back Emraan Hashmi as Shivam nearly 19 years after the release of the original film. Released on the anniversary of the 2007 cult classic, the teaser offers a glimpse into the emotional and action-packed journey awaiting fans in the sequel.

The teaser opens with Shivam revisiting the grave of Aaliyah, the character portrayed by Shriya Saran in the first film. Emraan’s character reflects on his long association with pain, setting a sombre and emotional tone for the sequel. Dark visuals, intense narration and flashes of action hint at an unfinished story that continues years later.

Teaser blends nostalgia with a fresh chapter

The teaser heavily leans on nostalgia, featuring a reprised version of the popular track Toh Phir Aao, a song that remains closely associated with the original film. The emotional background score, coupled with Shivam’s return, has already generated excitement among fans.

Apart from Emraan Hashmi, the sequel also stars Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi in key roles. Both actors make brief appearances in the teaser, hinting at their significance in the new storyline.

Sharing the teaser, the makers wrote that the long wait for Shivam’s return has finally ended, acknowledging the fan support that kept the story alive over the years.

The original Awarapan, directed by Mohit Suri and released in 2007, did not perform strongly at the box office initially but gradually attained cult status, largely due to its music and emotional storytelling. The sequel, produced by Vishesh Films and directed by Nitin Kakkar, is scheduled to hit theatres on August 14, 2026.

Awarapan 2 Official Teaser:

Actor and entrepreneur Tamannaah Bhatia has shared insights into her evolving philosophy regarding money and business growth, emphasizing that her primary drive centers on creating real impact rather than simply accumulating material assets. The actor, who made her acting debut at the young age of 15 in the 2005 film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra and later starred in the Telugu film Sree, has expanded her professional horizons significantly over the years.

In 2026, she ventured further into business by introducing her everyday luxury label, Tamannaah Fine Jewellery. While speaking to a media outlet, the entrepreneur discussed how her perspective on business and financial growth has shaped her career choices.

A focus on scale, influence, and giving back

Reflecting on her current journey, Bhatia pointed out that financial accumulation has its limits due to marginal utility. She stated that her true motivation lies in the actual process of generating value, shaping a distinct identity, and building something substantial. For her, focusing purely on a grander vision naturally leads to financial success.

“I feel like if you don’t scale, it is just a disservice to the vision itself,” Bhatia said during the interview, highlighting that scaling up allows her to establish a wider reach and influence, which brings her fulfillment. She further explained that philanthropy and giving back to society should not be treated as a one-time event delayed for the future, but rather as an ongoing effort integrated directly into the process of building a business.

A multi-faceted career path

Bhatia’s career spans nearly 90 films across the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu film industries, including major projects like Baahubali, Oopiri, and Aranmanai 4. Beyond traditional cinema, she has found success with popular musical numbers and has transitioned effectively into streaming platforms, headlining several OTT projects such as Jee Karda, Aakhiri Sach, and Do You Wanna Partner.

According to reports, her net worth stands above Rs 100 crore, supported by her extensive acting commitments, brand endorsements, and business ventures. Her personal assets include a sea-facing apartment in Mumbai featuring unique elements like a specialized aquarium and a spacious balcony jacuzzi.

Veteran chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who has spent decades teaching India how to cook through iconic shows like Khana Khazana, recently shared a little-known story from his career. During an appearance on journalist Vir Sanghvi’s podcast Culinary Culture, Kapoor revealed that he repeatedly turned down the offer to host the popular cooking reality show MasterChef India during its initial seasons. The reason behind his refusal was a unique payment condition: he wanted to be compensated more than Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.

The symbolic condition that stalled his entry

According to Kapoor, the show’s producers had been approaching him since its very first season. While most professionals would readily accept such an opportunity, Kapoor did the exact opposite because the makers initially refused to meet his specific condition.

“I told them that if you want me on the show, you have to pay me more than Akshay Kumar,” Kapoor recalled during the podcast.

Clarifying his stance, the culinary expert explained that his demand was never about the money itself. Instead, requesting an extra rupee was a symbolic gesture aimed at securing professional recognition and respect for his expertise in the culinary field. When the show’s producers refused to comply with this demand during the early stages, Kapoor firmly declined the project, stating, “I am not coming. I will not do it.”

A change of stance in season 3

The deadlock eventually broke when the makers approached him again while preparing for the third season of MasterChef India. This time around, the producers felt his presence was absolutely necessary for the show’s success. Kapoor remembered being told that it would be a major setback if the MasterChef format failed to succeed in India. Understanding his value, the producers ultimately accepted his condition for the third season, and Kapoor confirmed that they paid him more than everyone else.

How social media reacted to the revelation

After video clips from the podcast circulated online, internet users largely supported the chef’s historical stance. Many commentators pointed out that his demand was not a reflection of arrogance, but rather a justified move to protect the dignity of his profession.

Social media users noted that a specialized cooking show should naturally position a culinary expert ahead of a mainstream actor in terms of authority and financial compensation. One user commented that an actor earning more than a professional chef on a culinary show is not a positive sign, while another praised Kapoor for knowing his worth and maintaining humility by demanding just Re 1 more rather than an exorbitant amount.