Mohit Suri Reveals Real Reason For Not Directing Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2: I Was Never....

Mohit Suri has clarified that the much-talked-about sequel Awarapan 2 is moving ahead without any involvement from the director of the 2007 original. Suri stated that no one from the team approached for direction duties, even though the new film again features Emraan Hashmi in the lead.

The sequel, backed by Vishesh Films, was officially unveiled on April 21, 2026, and stars Emraan Hashmi opposite Disha Patani. Awarapan 2 has stirred strong interest among fans who admire the earlier film, yet Suri’s absence from the project has become an equally discussed point across industry circles.

Awarapan 2 and Mohit Suri: release plans, director choice and box office clash

Awarapan 2 was first announced for a theatrical release on April 3, 2026, before the producers shifted the date to April 14, 2026. With this move, the film is now set to share screens with Lahore 1947, which stars Sunny Deol, raising the possibility of a notable box office clash.

Unlike the 2007 film, which Mohit Suri directed, the new instalment is being directed by Nitin Kakkar. This shift confirms that Awarapan 2 will follow a fresh creative vision behind the camera, even as it continues the journey of Emraan Hashmi’s character that audiences know from the earlier film.

Mohit Suri and Emraan Hashmi: creative bond behind Awarapan 2 legacy

In an interview with NDTV, Mohit Suri addressed the situation directly and said there was no offer on the table when Awarapan 2 was planned. "I was never actually offered it before, that's all," Suri commented, ending speculation that the director might have declined the sequel himself.

Suri also spoke warmly about collaborating again with Emraan Hashmi, with whom several of Suri’s key films are linked. "I would work with Emraan at the drop of a hat… but I have to give him a role. I can't just hustle him into doing something," Suri explained, pointing to the responsibility he feels when writing for the actor.

Reflecting on their long association, Suri described the personal and professional link he shares with Emraan Hashmi. "Emraan is my elder brother… he was my first hero and my hero for eight films. So I'm the one who can actually say that puri industry ek taraf and Emraan bhai ek taraf." The filmmaker said this while responding to a viral pop-culture reference involving Hashmi.

Cult status of Awarapan and expectations from Awarapan 2

The original Awarapan did not earn strong box office numbers in 2007, yet the film slowly built a cult following over the years. Viewers have continued to praise its sombre story, visual style and especially the music album composed by Pritam, which remains popular across playlists and streaming platforms.

Suri recalled that Awarapan became a turning point for Emraan Hashmi, further deepening their creative partnership after earlier titles. Their collaborations began with Zeher and expanded to films like Kalyug, Murder 2 and Awarapan, shaping a clear identity for intense romantic thrillers with strong music during the 2000s era of Hindi cinema.

While discussing past casting choices, Suri revisited Aashiqui 2 and revealed that Emraan Hashmi had declined its lead role, later played by Aditya Roy Kapur. "He said, 'I'm dying in the end.' After doing Awarapan and Kalyug, he felt audiences might not accept that again," Suri said, recalling the conversation with some amusement.

As Awarapan 2 continues under Nitin Kakkar with Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani, it carries memories of Mohit Suri’s earlier work without his direct input this time. The project now balances fan expectations shaped by the 2007 film with the promise of a different directorial approach and a high-profile box office clash on April 14, 2026.