Barely a day after Awarapan 2 arrived in theatres, actor Emraan Hashmi has already set off speculation about another instalment in the franchise, telling an enthusiastic audience that he hoped Awarapan 3 would arrive "very soon". Hashmi dropped the hint during a visit to a Mumbai theatre along with his Awarapan 2 co-star Disha Patani on Friday. The two actors interacted with moviegoers watching the newly released sequel, with videos from the visit showing fans cheering the stars.
The moment came when Hashmi addressed the audience and thanked viewers for supporting the film. He then referred to the possibility of continuing the story with a third instalment.
"Hopefully, Awarapan 3 very soon," the actor said, drawing loud cheers from those present. There has been no formal announcement of Awarapan 3 by the makers so far, and details such as its director, cast, production schedule or release date have not been revealed. Hashmi's comment, therefore, remains a tease rather than confirmation that a third film has entered production.
Awarapan 2 marks Hashmi's return to one of the most closely associated characters of his career nearly two decades after the original film.
Awarapan, released in 2007, featured Hashmi as Shivam Pandit, a gangster with a troubled past whose life changes after he is ordered to keep watch over a young woman held captive by his employer.
Directed by Mohit Suri, the film also starred Shriya Saran, Mrinalini Sharma and Ashutosh Rana. Although its initial theatrical performance was modest, Awarapan developed a strong following over the years, with its music, emotional storyline and Hashmi's portrayal of Shivam contributing to its cult status.
That enduring popularity eventually led to the sequel. Awarapan 2 was first announced in March 2025, on Hashmi's birthday. It was initially scheduled to arrive in April 2026 before its theatrical release was shifted to the Independence Day weekend.
The film finally hit cinemas on August 14, bringing Hashmi back as Shivam Pandit. Disha Patani joined the franchise as the female lead, while Shabana Azmi is also part of the cast.
The timing of Hashmi's Awarapan 3 hint is significant as the sequel has opened strongly at the box office.
Early trade estimates differ on the precise opening-day figure, but reports agree that Awarapan 2 has delivered the biggest opening of Hashmi's career. Some estimates put its worldwide first-day collection at around Rs 27 crore.
The Independence Day holiday has provided an additional boost to the film on its second day, with early figures indicating continued momentum at the domestic box office.
The strong initial response is particularly notable for a franchise whose first instalment did not emerge as a major theatrical success when it was originally released.
Awarapan's reputation grew substantially in the years following its release. Its songs, including Toh Phir Aao and Tera Mera Rishta, remained popular, while the film found new audiences through television, home video and digital platforms.
Actor Shriya Saran recently reflected on the original film's journey, saying she believed it had been ahead of its time despite failing to perform strongly at the box office in 2007.
The theatre interaction involving Hashmi and Patani reflected the level of nostalgia surrounding the franchise.
Hashmi's reference to Awarapan 3 immediately prompted cheers from the audience, with clips of the exchange circulating on social media.
The actor, however, stopped short of revealing whether discussions for a third instalment had already begun or whether his remark was simply an expression of hope that the franchise would continue.
Any decision on another sequel is likely to depend significantly on the theatrical performance of Awarapan 2 over the coming days and weeks.
The second film itself represented a reunion between Hashmi and the Vishesh Films banner after several years. The original Awarapan was also produced under the banner, making the sequel a revival not only of Shivam's story but also of an association responsible for several important films in Hashmi's career.
For Hashmi, the revival of Awarapan is also an example of how audience affection can transform the fortunes of a film long after its original theatrical run.
The first movie's journey from an underperformer in cinemas to a widely remembered romantic-action drama helped generate years of calls from fans for Hashmi to return as Shivam.
That demand ultimately resulted in Awarapan 2, 19 years after the original.
Now, with the sequel recording a strong opening and Hashmi publicly raising the possibility of Awarapan 3 within a day of its release, Shivam Pandit's story may not be nearing its end just yet.
For the moment, however, fans will have to wait for an official announcement from the makers before Hashmi's "very soon" promise turns into a confirmed third chapter.