Raaj Shaandilyaa Slams Ektaa Kapoor’s Legal Notice, Confirms Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bhagam Bhag 2’ Is Not Shelved

Filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa has officially broken his silence regarding the legal dispute with producer Ektaa Kapoor that reportedly stalled the highly anticipated shooting of Bhagam Bhag 2. In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the director dismissed the allegations of breach of contract as "unfounded" and assured fans that the project remains on schedule. Dream Girl Director Raaj Shandilyaa Gets Married To Longtime Girlfriend Varsha (View Pics)

'Bhagam Bhag 2' Lucknow Shoot Cancelled

The controversy erupted earlier this week when reports surfaced that Balaji Telefilms had filed a lawsuit against Shaandilyaa, claiming he violated a three-film agreement. The dispute led to the abrupt cancellation of a 25-day shooting schedule in Lucknow, which was slated to begin on March 2 with lead actors Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Manoj Bajpayee.

 Raaj Shaandilyaa Denies Contract Violation

Raaj Shaandilyaa’s team issued a clarification stating that the director had already terminated his arrangement with Balaji Telefilms two weeks prior to the public fallout. Shaandilyaa maintained that the termination was carried out within his contractual rights. “If Balaji Telefilms believed it had any sustainable legal basis to challenge the termination, it was open to them to approach the appropriate civil court. No such proceedings have been initiated,” the statement read. The filmmaker further characterised the recent legal notices as an attempt to "intimidate and browbeat" him. He urged industry peers to take note of what he called "pressure tactics" employed by major production banners. ‘Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video’ Plagiarism Row: Sanjay Tiwari Claims Raaj Shaandilyaa Copied His Original Idea, Says ‘I’ll Consider Moving the HC To Ban the Film’.

 Balaji Telefilms Sends Legal Notice

According to reports from Bollywood Hungama, the core of Ektaa Kapoor’s grievance lies in a multi-film deal Shaandilyaa signed following the success of the Dream Girl franchise. Sources close to Balaji Telefilms allege that the director took on external projects, including Bhagam Bhag 2, without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or returning the advance payment received for a third committed film. The legal notice was not limited to Shaandilyaa; it was also reportedly served to producers Ashwin Varde and Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films. Due to the legal complexities, the producers chose to release the actors' dates for March to avoid complications on set, effectively putting the shoot on a temporary hold. Dream Girl Director Raaj Shaandilyaa Tests Positive for COVID-19, Will Observe Home Quarantine.

'Bhagam Bhag 2' Cast Confirmed

Despite the ongoing friction, Neeraj Vora Shaandilyaa has insisted that Bhagam Bhag 2 remains on schedule and has not been derailed. Clarifying the situation, he stated that the sequel to the 2006 cult comedy Bhagam Bhag is very much on track. The film is expected to bring back Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal reprising their popular roles, while Manoj Bajpayee is reportedly joining the cast in place of Govinda. The project will also feature Meenakshi Chaudhary and Ayesha Khan as the leading ladies. However, industry insiders believe that if the legal dispute continues for long, it could potentially delay the production schedule, especially since the lead actors are expected to begin other film commitments starting June 2026.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2026 09:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).