For three years, fans waited, speculated, and hoped for Rowdy Rathore 2 to bring back that larger-than-life cop swagger Akshay Kumar nailed back in 2012. But now, the dream sequel seems to be officially off the table. Yep, you read that right—Rowdy Rathore 2 has been scrapped.
So what happened to one of Bollywood’s most hyped sequels? And what’s next for the script that was supposed to revive the Rowdy franchise? Let’s break it down.
Why the Sequel Was Dropped
According to sources, producers Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali pushed for years to make the sequel happen. The script was even written by none other than V. Vijayendra Prasad, the man behind blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR.
The problem? Disney India, which holds the rights to the original Rowdy Rathore after acquiring Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV Motion Pictures, wasn’t on board. Without Disney’s greenlight, the sequel couldn’t move forward. After endless rounds of discussions, the producers finally decided to drop the idea and give the script a new identity.
So instead of Rowdy Rathore 2, we’re now looking at a standalone action entertainer. Think high-octane drama, full masala flavor, but free from the baggage of being a sequel.
A Fresh Start with a New Director
Here’s where it gets interesting. The revised film will be directed by Tamil filmmaker P.S. Mithran, known for stylish, fast-paced action thrillers like Irumbu Thirai, Hero, and Sardar. His track record shows he knows how to balance big-screen action with clever storytelling, which makes him a solid choice to reimagine this script.
The idea now is to craft a fresh cop drama that doesn’t rely on the shadow of Akshay Kumar’s Rowdy Rathore. Instead, it will stand on its own—new title, new hero, new energy. Production is being planned for early 2026, with Mithran expected to take the film into pre-production once he wraps up Sardar 2, releasing in December 2025.
Who Will Be the New Hero?
One of the juiciest questions: if not Akshay Kumar, then who? At one point, Sidharth Malhotra was in talks, but reports suggest the producers aren’t fully convinced about his pull in an all-out action role right now.
So the hunt is on for a younger, bankable star—someone who can play a larger-than-life cop and still connect with today’s audience. Names are being floated, but nothing’s locked yet. What’s clear is that this won’t be just another cop drama; the team wants an actor who can anchor a franchise for years to come.
And honestly, that might be a smart move. Instead of being tied down by comparisons with Akshay’s iconic Rowdy Rathore, this gives the project a clean slate. Fans get a new hero, and the makers get a chance to launch a brand-new action saga.
What This Means for Bollywood Fans
Sure, it’s disappointing that Rowdy Rathore 2 isn’t happening. That 2012 film had a raw charm and brought Akshay Kumar roaring back into the box office game. But sometimes, sequels end up killing the magic instead of reviving it.
By turning the script into a standalone, the producers are basically saying: let’s not rehash the past, let’s create something new. And with P.S. Mithran steering the ship, we could be looking at a polished, mass-friendly, action blockbuster that feels both fresh and familiar.
So while the Rowdy Rathore brand might be gone, the essence—the over-the-top action, the fearless cop, the crowd-pleasing masala—will live on in this new avatar.
Jay-Ho! Reality Check
At the end of the day, Bollywood thrives on reinvention. Sequels are fun, sure, but sometimes letting go of nostalgia paves the way for bigger, bolder stories. That’s exactly what’s happening here.
So no Rowdy Rathore 2—but maybe, just maybe, something even better. The only question left: which star will step into those khaki shoes and carry the torch of Bollywood’s next big cop drama?
