Cinema VinesSuniel Shetty has confirmed that a sequel to the 2002 comedy‑action hit Awara Paagal Deewana is in the pipeline, with production slated to begin early next year. In a candid interview with Bollywood Hungama, the veteran actor stated, “The sequel is happening for sure. I think early next year for sure,” and added, “Yeah yeah,” when asked if the film would start shooting soon. Shetty first teased the possibility on Instagram earlier this year, but no concrete dates were disclosed until now.
The original film, produced by Firoz Nadiadwala, featured an ensemble cast that included Akshay Kumar, Aftab Shivdasani, Paresh Rawal, Amrita Arora, Aarti Chhabria, Preeti Jhangiani, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Om Puri, Johnny Lever and Rahul Dev. Shetty played the role of Yeda Anna. The sequel’s confirmation comes as the industry continues to revive older titles into new franchises, following recent successes such as the Emraan Hashmi‑starrer Awarapan 2.
When discussing his broader projects, Shetty highlighted his recent 2026 outing, Welcome To The Jungle, a multi‑star venture that performed well at the box office. He also mentioned a cameo in Border 2, which he regards as a franchise milestone. The actor emphasized that he now selects projects based on their potential impact, stating, “Whether I choose my brands or movies or anything that I do, it should have a positive impact on people.” He added that he aims to provide pure entertainment without offending any sentiments.
Beyond the Awara Paagal Deewana sequel, Shetty revealed two other upcoming films: Hitman and Sabse Bada Rupaiya. He described them as “really exciting” with “different scripts and very different stories.” He also alluded to additional projects that he is looking forward to, though details remain undisclosed.
Shetty expressed optimism about the current state of Hindi cinema, praising the first half of the year as “brilliant” and the second quarter as “extraordinary.” He hopes for more exhibitors, theaters, lower ticket prices and cheaper popcorn to further boost the industry’s growth. The confirmed sequel, set to begin shooting early next year, adds to a promising slate of releases for the veteran actor.
