Cinema VinesFilmmaker and producer Siddharth P Malhotra has had a remarkable year in 2026, thanks to the success of his Netflix releases. Earlier this year, his feature film Ikka, starring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, attracted a large audience and set viewership records on the streaming platform. Now the director‑producer is celebrating another milestone with the web‑series Shaque: Trust No One, which has also climbed to the top of Netflix charts in a dozen countries.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Malhotra confirmed that both projects are heading into a second chapter. “Ikka broke records, and we are already working on Ikka 2. Shaque has done the same, and Season 2 is in the works,” he said. He added that the new season will tell a fresh story rather than continue the original plot, while the production team is already drafting the script.
Malhotra also revealed that the concept for Shaque began as a feature film idea by director Rensil D’Silva eight or nine years ago. The original plan was to create a movie, but after writing the material as a series, the team realised it had the potential for a longer format. The project was then pitched to Netflix, which green‑lit the series.
According to the filmmaker, the response to Shaque has been extraordinary. “Even after one week it’s number one in the top‑10 charts of 20 to 30 countries,” he said. He noted that the show has generated a flood of feedback, with fans from across India calling in to say they have binge‑watched it. Malhotra expressed pride that Netflix is thrilled with the show’s performance and that it has become a talking point at social events.
Because Shaque is a whodunit, the climax is heavily guarded. Malhotra admitted that social media can’t be controlled, but he is pleased that viewers continue to watch even after spoilers are out. “If people are still watching after the climax is revealed, it’s a win for the writing team,” he said.
During the trailer launch, lead actress Parineeti Chopra revealed that she discovered she was pregnant after filming had begun. To accommodate her, the production team kept her on set and avoided travel. Malhotra said the arrangement was manageable, noting that it was a shared responsibility to support her during the shoot.
