The much-delayed Dostana 2 is once again making headlines — this time with a major casting shake-up. According to recent reports, Laapataa Ladies breakout star Pratibha Ranta has been approached to play the female lead, replacing Janhvi Kapoor.
While there’s no official confirmation yet from Dharma Productions, sources close to the development revealed that Pratibha is in advanced talks to join the film. The actor, who rose to fame with her stellar performance in Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, is being hailed as one of the most promising new talents in Bollywood.
If finalized, this will mark her first major commercial film under Karan Johar’s banner.
Vikrant Massey Confirms His Entry
Adding to the buzz, Vikrant Massey, fresh off his National Award win for 12th Fail, has confirmed that he is a part of Dostana 2.
During a recent media interaction, Massey shared,
“Yes, Dostana 2 is happening, and it’s my first collaboration with Dharma Productions. I’m very excited about it.”
Massey’s inclusion signals a new creative direction for the film — one that blends Dharma’s glossy world with his grounded, performance-driven sensibilities.
The film will also star Lakshya, who was originally launched by Dharma in 2019 and was set to make his debut with Dostana 2 before the project hit delays due to the pandemic and recasting issues.
The Original Cast & Controversy
Initially, Dostana 2 was announced in 2019 with Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Lakshya in lead roles. However, the project came to a halt after Kartik’s exit from the film in 2021, followed by Janhvi stepping away due to scheduling conflicts.
In an official statement, Dharma Productions had then confirmed,
“Due to professional circumstances, we will be recasting Dostana 2.”
The announcement led to widespread speculation about tensions between Kartik Aaryan and Karan Johar — a topic that continued to trend for months.
Kartik Aaryan Breaks His Silence
In 2024, Kartik finally addressed the controversy in an interview with Lallantop, saying,
“It’s an old matter now. Sometimes things get blown out of proportion. I’ve always stayed silent because I believe in focusing on my work. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”
The actor, who has since delivered hits like Satyaprem Ki Katha and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, seems to have moved on, while Dharma has reimagined Dostana 2 as a fresh, standalone sequel rather than a direct continuation.
What To Expect From The New Dostana 2
With Vikrant Massey, Lakshya, and possibly Pratibha Ranta, Dostana 2 seems set to explore a more contemporary, youth-driven story, while retaining the humor and heart that made the original 2008 film a hit.
If all goes well, filming is expected to begin in early 2025, with a potential release the following year.
While Dharma Productions is yet to make an official statement, fans are already buzzing about this unexpected yet exciting new trio.
Jay-Ho Exclusive
Pratibha Ranta may replace Janhvi Kapoor in Dostana 2, joining Vikrant Massey and Lakshya in the revamped Dharma project. With new casting and direction, the long-delayed sequel is set for a fresh start in 2025.
