The Jolly LLB franchise could be heading back to its roots, with Arshad Warsi reportedly set to headline the fourth instalment. According to an exclusive report by Variety India published on October 20, 2026, the upcoming courtroom comedy-drama will be a prequel directed by Umesh Shukla, known for films such as OMG – Oh My God! and 102 Not Out. The report says the film is expected to complete shooting by January 2027.
The reported development has raised a major question for fans: will Akshay Kumar return to the franchise? While Warsi is expected to reprise his original character, there is no confirmation yet about Kumar’s involvement in the fourth film. The makers have also not officially announced the project, its final title or its complete cast.
Arshad Warsi Reportedly Returns as Jolly in Jolly LLB 4
Variety India reports that Arshad Warsi will lead the next chapter of the franchise, returning as lawyer Jagdish Tyagi, popularly known as Jolly. The film is reportedly in the final stages of pre-production, with filming expected to wrap by January 2027. Its title has not yet been finalised, according to the report.
The biggest change appears to be the film’s timeline. Rather than continuing the story after Jolly LLB 3, the fourth instalment is reportedly being developed as a prequel. This means the story would take place before the events of the earlier films, although the makers have not revealed its plot, setting or the stage of Jolly’s legal career it will explore.
Umesh Shukla is reportedly taking over as director. The first three films were written and directed by Subhash Kapoor, who established the franchise’s combination of courtroom comedy, social commentary and legal drama. Whether the new director will retain the same storytelling approach remains to be seen.
Is Akshay Kumar Out of Jolly LLB 4?
Akshay Kumar’s involvement in Jolly LLB 4 remains unclear. The Variety India report identifies Warsi as the lead but does not confirm whether Kumar will appear in the prequel. It would therefore be premature to conclude that Kumar has been dropped from the franchise.
Kumar joined the series with Jolly LLB 2 in 2017, playing advocate Jagdishwar Mishra, also known as Jolly. The sequel introduced a different lawyer at the centre of the story, while retaining Saurabh Shukla as the judge. The franchise subsequently brought its two leading lawyers together in Jolly LLB 3.
Since the fourth film is reportedly a prequel, its timeline and story could determine whether Kumar’s character features in the narrative. However, no details have been officially disclosed about a possible appearance, cameo or supporting role for the actor.
For now, Warsi’s reported return is the central casting development, while Kumar’s participation remains unconfirmed.
From Jolly LLB to Jolly LLB 3: How the Franchise Evolved
The franchise began with Jolly LLB in 2013, starring Arshad Warsi as Jagdish Tyagi, a lawyer navigating a case that challenges his professional ambitions and understanding of justice. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the film combined courtroom satire with a serious look at the legal system.
In 2017, Jolly LLB 2 introduced Akshay Kumar as Jagdishwar Mishra. The film retained Saurabh Shukla as Judge Sunder Lal Tripathi while presenting a new case and a different protagonist. Kumar continued in the lead role as the franchise expanded its reach.
The third film, Jolly LLB 3, reunited Warsi and Kumar on screen. Released in September 2025 and directed by Subhash Kapoor, the courtroom comedy-drama followed the two lawyers as rivals whose paths crossed in a case involving land acquisition and farmers’ rights. The story centred on a farmer whose land was taken over by a powerful corporation and his widow, Janki, who sought justice after his death.
Despite their differences, the two lawyers ultimately joined forces in the fight against powerful interests. The film also featured Amrita Rao, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, Seema Biswas and Gajraj Rao.
Will Other Jolly LLB Actors Return?
Besides the question of Akshay Kumar’s return, fans may also wonder whether familiar faces from the earlier films will appear in the prequel. Saurabh Shukla’s Judge Tripathi has been a recurring presence throughout the franchise, while the original film featured actors including Boman Irani, Amrita Rao, Mohan Kapoor and Sanjay Mishra.
However, there is no confirmed casting information for these actors in the fourth instalment. Their possible involvement should be treated as speculation until the makers share an official announcement.
The prequel format could also give the filmmakers an opportunity to explore an earlier chapter in Jagdish Tyagi’s life. But without a confirmed synopsis, it is not yet possible to say how the story will connect with the original film or whether characters from the other instalments will appear.
Jolly LLB 4: What We Know So Far
According to the Variety India report, Arshad Warsi is expected to lead Jolly LLB 4, with Umesh Shukla directing. The film is reportedly a prequel and is expected to wrap filming by January 2027. Its official title, release date, storyline and full cast have not been announced.
Most importantly, Akshay Kumar’s participation has not been confirmed or ruled out. Until the production team makes an official announcement, reports about the cast and schedule should be treated as preliminary.
If the reported plans materialise, the fourth instalment will bring the franchise back to Warsi’s version of Jolly while opening a new chapter in its courtroom-comedy universe. Whether the film will feature both Jollys again is one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the project.
