Who Is Nitin Kakkar? All About Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Awarapan 2’ Director
Nitin Kakkar takes over as director for 'Awarapan 2', the much-awaited sequel starring Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani, and Shabana Azmi, set for a grand theatrical release on August 14, 2026. The film's teaser recently dropped on June 29, 2026, reigniting fan excitement for the Vishesh Films production which sees Hashmi return as Shivam Pandit.
Bollywood is buzzing with excitement as the highly anticipated sequel, Awarapan 2, gears up for its theatrical release. Stepping into the director’s chair for this much-awaited film is National Award-winning filmmaker Nitin Kakkar, who takes over from Mohit Suri, the director of the 2007 cult classic. The film, produced by Vishesh Bhatt under the renowned Vishesh Films banner, promises to revive the intense narrative with Emraan Hashmi reprising his iconic role as Shivam Pandit. ‘Awarapan 2’ Teaser Reactions: Netizens Go Wild as Emraan Hashmi Reprises Shivam Pandit, Disha Patani Joins Romantic Thriller Sequel (Watch Video).
‘Awarapan 2’ Teaser Ignites Fan Frenzy
The official teaser for ‘Awarapan 2’ dropped on June 29, 2026, coinciding with the 19th anniversary of the original film's release. The teaser has already captivated audiences, showcasing Emraan Hashmi in a blood-soaked, bruised, and rage-filled avatar, echoing his intense performance from the first instalment.
It also offers glimpses of the new additions to the cast, Disha Patani and veteran actress Shabana Azmi, adding further intrigue to the plot. The visual narrative, combined with powerful dialogues like 'Dard se purana rishta hai mera' and the iconic Awarapan title track, effectively blends nostalgia with raw emotion, setting a high bar for the sequel. Producers Vishesh Films confirmed the teaser's release with a statement: "OGs know this isn't just a wrap. He came back for you. In cinemas August 14."
Watch the Teaser of ‘Awarapan 2’:
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Who Is Nitin Kakkar?
Nitin Kakkar, born in Mumbai in 1975, is a seasoned Indian film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive storytelling. Now 51 years old, Kakkar embarked on his cinematic journey as an assistant director, working on projects like the Marathi film Devki, before making a significant mark with his directorial debut. While Mohit Suri was closely associated with the original Awarapan, he clarified that he was never formally offered to direct the sequel, though he expressed his willingness to collaborate with Emraan Hashmi. Kakkar's assumption of the director's role signals a fresh perspective for the beloved franchise.
Nitin Kakkar's Life, Filmography
Nitin Kakkar's filmography boasts a diverse range of critically acclaimed and commercially recognised works. His debut feature film, Filmistaan (2012), a Hindi-language comedy-drama, won the prestigious National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and the Silver Crow Pheasant Award for Best Debut Director at the Kerala International Film Festival.
His notable directorial ventures include Filmistaan (2012), the acclaimed comedy-drama; Mitron (2018), a romantic comedy starring Jackky Bhagnani and Kritika Kamra; Notebook (2019), a romantic drama featuring Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl; Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), a coming-of-age comedy starring Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, and Alaya F; and Ram Singh Charlie (2020), a drama that premiered on SonyLIV.
Kakkar’s ability to blend humour with emotional depth and tackle varied genres makes him an exciting choice to helm Awarapan 2.
More About ‘Awarapan 2’
Awarapan 2 is shaping up to be a major cinematic event, with a confirmed theatrical release date of August 14, 2026. Emraan Hashmi returns as Shivam Pandit, grappling with the emotional scars of losing Aaliyah Hamid (originally played by Shriya Saran). The cast is further strengthened by Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles, with Azmi playing the antagonist Nafisa, alongside Suvinder Vicky, Vijayant Kohli, and Atul Kumar. Principal photography, which commenced in September 2025, concluded in June 2026, with filming taking place across visually stunning locations in Bangkok, Mumbai, Rajasthan, and Malaysia. ‘Borders Are Dangerous, but…’: ‘Toh Phir Aao’ Singer Mustafa Zahid REACTS to Amaal Mallik’s ‘Awarapan 2’ Tweet.
The music for the sequel, a defining strength of the original, is composed by Mithoon, Jeet Gannguli, Amaal Mallik, and Akhil Sachdeva, with lyrics by Rashmi Virag and Sayeed Quadri. Fans can also look forward to recreated versions of the original's iconic tracks, “Tera Mera Rishta” and “Toh Phir Aao”. Vishesh Films aims to deliver a powerful narrative that retains the soul of the 2007 classic while offering a fresh cinematic experience.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 01, 2026 10:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
