Nineteen years ago, Awarapan quietly left theatres as a box office disappointment. Today, its sequel is poised to surpass the original film’s entire worldwide earnings on its opening day alone. That, in itself, is the story of how cult classics are born — and how nostalgia can move mountains.
Awarapan 2, directed by Nitin Kakkar and released on August 14, 2026, picks up where the 2007 original left off. Shivam Pandit, played once again by Emraan Hashmi, is now spending his days in quiet grief — tending to Aaliyah’s grave — until life pulls him back into the world he tried to leave behind. When a child he has silently watched over is kidnapped into a trafficking racket, Shivam returns to his gangster roots, heading to Bangkok in a desperate race to save her.
Emraan Hashmi is the soul of the film. Despite nearly two decades having passed, he slips back into Shivam’s brooding, heartbroken skin with effortless conviction. Shabana Azmi, despite limited screen time, commands every scene she is in. Puran Gabbi as the unstable Zorawar delivers a standout supporting performance, and the Bangkok backdrop gives the film a visually expansive feel.
The screenplay is largely predictable — seasoned viewers will see the twists coming well in advance. Disha Patani, despite her screen presence, struggles to convey the emotional depth her character demands. The background score lacks the haunting quality of the original, and the editing feels uneven in places.
Awarapan 2 has already surpassed the pre-sales of Salman Khan’s Sikandar and Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar on BookMyShow — a testament to the enormous affection audiences have for Emraan Hashmi and the original film. Trade projections suggest an opening between ₹15 crore and ₹21 crore net — what the original film couldn’t earn in its entire theatrical run.
If you are an Emraan Hashmi fan, go for it. If not, this one can wait for its OTT premiere.
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