'Not part of The Family Man S3': Sharad Kelkar confirms exit, Lonavala thread unlikely to continue

Fans are looking forward to returning to Srikant Tiwari's espionage universe in The Family Man for a third season later this year, but there's still one unresolved subplot—the one involving Suchitra and Arvind.

Sharad Kelkar confirms exit from the series

Sharad Kelkar, who portrayed Arvind in the first two seasons, has officially announced his absence from the third season. Announcing his departure, Kelkar stated to Mid Day, "I am not part of The Family Man 3. All I know is the story this time takes them all to the North East, and she maybe goes with him. It’s a beautiful show, and I am sure they’ve written an outstanding third season."

Viewers expecting a resolution to the Lonavala plot are likely to be disappointed by the actor's words. Since the first season, fans have speculated about what happened between Arvind and Suchitra on a work trip. Showrunners decided not to conclude the narrative in Season 2, keeping viewers guessing despite carrying the suspense into that season.

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Makers deliberately kept Srikant in the dark

To put the audience on the same path as protagonist Srikant, the producers purposefully kept the answer to "Lonavala mein kya hua" hidden until Season 2. The story may choose to ignore that specific plot point in light of Kelkar's formal statement that he is not coming back.

The third season, nevertheless, would supposedly expand the show's geopolitical focus. The Northeast of India presents a new danger, which Srikant and his team must confront once more. Season previews have been hinting at an impending war with China, which is going to put a lot of pressure on the characters.

Familiar faces return, with new antagonists joining

Srikant Tiwari, played by Manoj Bajpayee, and Suchitra, played by Priyamani, are both returning. Not to mention, Nimrat Kaur and Jaideep Ahlawat will both be playing major antagonist roles in the upcoming season. Production on the series has concluded, and now it is in the post-production phase. In 2025, around Diwali, the third season will likely premiere.

At least for now, the mystery of Lonavala may remain unsolved, even though the show's scope and narrative ambition are constantly evolving. The creators have yet to decide whether to address the mystery solely through Suchitra's arc. Viewers may only guess as to the truth behind the locked door until then.