Rowdy Rathore 2 scrapped after 3 years; script now being reworked into a standalone original film

It seems like the sequel to Rowdy Rathore, titled Rowdy Rathore 2, is no longer in the works.

 According to industry insiders, producers Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have decided to cancel the project after three years of trying without success. Now, the script for the sequel will be rewritten to make it a new, original film on its own.

Disney India, which owns the rights to the original Rowdy Rathore (2012) along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after buying UTV Motion Pictures from Ronnie Screwvala, has not been willing to approve the sequel even after some early talks.

 A source told  exclusively that because Disney hasn’t given the green light, the producers have decided to stop working on Rowdy Rathore 2 and instead use the script for a new, standalone movie that won’t carry the Rowdy Rathore name.

The script was written by veteran writer V. Vijayendra Prasad.

 It is being reworked to create a fresh, high-energy cop movie that keeps the same mass-entertainment feel as the original 2012 blockbusters that brought Akshay Kumar back to the top after a streak of box office disappointments.

It has also been reported that famous Tamil director P.S. Mithran has been signed on to direct this new film.

 He is set to start production early next year. Mithran is known for directing stylish and successful Tamil movies like Irumbu Thirai (2018), which starred Vishal and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Hero (2019), featuring Sivakarthikeyan. He also directed Sardar (2022), starring Karthi. His upcoming film, Sardar 2, is scheduled to release in December 2025.

The casting for this new action movie hasn’t been decided yet.

 However, sources say that Sidharth Malhotra, who had initially been considered for the lead role, might not be part of the project anymore. The makers are now reluctant to cast him, worried about his box office appeal in an action role. They are looking for a younger, popular star to play a tough, larger-than-life police officer who is ready to go to any lengths to protect his people. The film is planned for early 2026.