Akshay Kumar's Rowdy Rathore 2 NOT happening: Report

Akshay Kumar's Rowdy Rathore 2 NOT happening: Report

Bollywood fans waiting for Akshay Kumar’s return as the flamboyant cop in Rowdy Rathore 2 may have to let go of their hopes. The much-anticipated sequel to the 2012 blockbuster has now been scrapped, with its makers deciding to transform the script into a completely new film.

Directed by Prabhu Deva, Rowdy Rathore became a massive hit upon release, thanks to Akshay Kumar’s powerful double role as ASP Vikram Rathore and the street-smart goon Shiva. The film, which also starred Sonakshi Sinha, was loved for its larger-than-life action sequences, whistle-worthy dialogues, and mass entertainment value. Naturally, the idea of a sequel had kept fans excited for years. However, recent reports suggest that the plan will no longer materialize.

According to a Bollywood Hungama report dated August 21, producers Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have decided to shelve Rowdy Rathore 2 after nearly three years of scripting and development. The script, written by celebrated writer V. Vijayendra Prasad, will instead be reworked into a standalone commercial entertainer.

The report further mentions that Disney India, which held the intellectual property rights of the original film, along with Bhansali (who acquired rights through Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV Motion Pictures), were not confident about moving forward with a sequel. An industry source was quoted as saying, “With Disney unwilling to commit, Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have decided to scrap the idea of Rowdy Rathore 2 altogether and repurpose the script into a standalone commercial entertainer, free from the Rowdy Rathore tag.”

The new project, expected to retain the essence of a high-voltage cop drama, will undergo major script changes to ensure freshness while keeping alive the flavor of mass entertainment. Tamil filmmaker P.S. Mithran, known for his action-packed ventures, has reportedly been roped in to direct the film, which is expected to go on floors next year.

Interestingly, earlier reports had suggested that Sidharth Malhotra was being considered to headline the sequel. But with the project now reinvented, the makers are said to be eyeing a younger, bankable star who can embody the persona of a larger-than-life police officer.