Awarapan 2: Writer Bilal Siddiqui Explains Approach to Shivam Pandit’s Next Chapter
Writer Bilal Siddiqui has shared insights into the creative process behind the upcoming sequel Awarapan 2, emphasising that the team prioritised an organic continuation of the lead character’s story over merely capitalising on nostalgia.
What Happened
Speaking about the development of Awarapan 2, writer Bilal Siddiqui revealed that the production team took deliberate care not to attach a generic plot to the established title. Siddiqui, who viewed the 2007 original film during his school years, described working on the sequel as a significant personal milestone. He noted that the original film’s enduring impact, led by Emraan Hashmi’s performance and popular soundtrack tracks such as ‘Toh Phir Aao’ and ‘Tera Mera Rishta’, informed the creative responsibility surrounding the project.
According to Siddiqui, producer Vishesh Bhatt aimed to preserve the core elements of the original—including angst, redemption, action, love, and devotion—while establishing a new narrative framework. The direction of the sequel was finalised after months of deliberations involving Siddiqui, producer Vishesh Bhatt, lead actor Emraan Hashmi, and director Nitin Kakkar.
Key Highlights
- Focus on Character Arc: The narrative development centred on taking the protagonist, Shivam Pandit, forward organically rather than creating an unrelated storyline under the franchise name.
- Retaining Core Themes: The sequel aims to carry forward the original film’s key themes of redemption, emotional angst, devotion, and action.
- Collaborative Development: The final storyline emerged after months of discussions among writer Bilal Siddiqui, producer Vishesh Bhatt, actor Emraan Hashmi, and director Nitin Kakkar.
- Shivam’s Unresolved Journey: Siddiqui stated that the protagonist remains a complex, burdened figure with further emotional and external challenges to face.
Why This Matters
The 2007 film Awarapan established a dedicated audience through its storytelling, music, and central character. By focusing the sequel’s plot on Shivam Pandit’s unresolved journey rather than introducing a disconnected narrative, the filmmakers seek to maintain continuity with the emotional and thematic elements that defined the original release.
What to Watch Next
Audiences can look forward to seeing how director Nitin Kakkar and actor Emraan Hashmi bring Shivam Pandit back to the screen, exploring the character’s subsequent battles and evolution as details regarding production milestones and release schedules emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is writing and directing Awarapan 2?
Awarapan 2 is written by Bilal Siddiqui and directed by Nitin Kakkar, with Vishesh Bhatt serving as the producer.
Will Emraan Hashmi return as Shivam Pandit?
Yes, the sequel focuses on the continued journey of Shivam Pandit, portrayed by Emraan Hashmi.
What approach did the creative team take for the sequel’s story?
The team spent months formulating an organic narrative focused on Shivam Pandit’s emotional and external conflicts, ensuring core themes like redemption, love, and angst remain central without forcing an unrelated plot onto the title.
Source: Based on statements reported by Variety India and Bollywood Hungama.