Udta Punjab 2 in the works: Ekta Kapoor developing sequel; Shahid Kapoor in early talks?

Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab (2016), starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Diljit Dosanjh, is a criminal drama that delves deeply into the political and societal ties that surround Punjab's long-standing drug problem. The film's raw storytelling and powerful performances helped it succeed at the box office despite the numerous obstacles it encountered, including a protracted dispute with the Censor Board, criticism from the Punjab government, and extensive online piracy.

Ekta Kapoor plans a sequel

After almost a decade, Peeping Moon has revealed that Ekta Kapoor is reportedly working on a sequel to Udta Punjab. This implies that the drug epidemic in Punjab will once again take centre stage. Sources informed the entertainment portal that Ekta has roped in Aakash Kaushik to script and direct the film, although the project is still in its early stages.

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An insider in the business claimed that production on Udta Punjab 2 is set to begin next year and is already in the writing phase. The company will contact actors once they finalise the script, but Ekta is determined to have Shahid return. Formal discussions have not yet taken place, although she has allegedly had exploratory chats with him.

With the exception of Punjab's drug crisis, the sequel will ostensibly follow a different plot than the original.

Change in direction: Aakash Kaushik replaces Abhishek Chaubey

The sequel will not feature Abhishek Chaubey because of his other obligations. His successor, Kaushik, comes from a far different background than the bleak atmosphere of Udta Punjab. Comic features that the filmmaker has written include Housefull 4, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Great Grand Masti. He is also the guy behind the camera for Dharma Productions' upcoming espionage comedy, which features Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan but has no title as of yet. The film is set to hit theatres later this year.

Udta Punjab 2 is the next installment in a long line of sequels and franchise films that are currently under production. At least 40 similar projects are reportedly in various stages of production at the moment, with many more on the way. This sequel is in keeping with Ekta's long history of making them under her Balaji Motion Pictures company.

Ekta Kapoor's legacy of sequels

Some of the sequels that have already been added to her filmography are Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, Ek Villain Returns, Ragini MMS 2, and LSD 2. In addition to Udta Punjab 2, there are rumours that she is actively working on Dream Girl 3 and the sequel to Veere Di Wedding. Tiger Shroff's A Flying Jatt and Vidya Balan's The Dirty Picture both had sequels in the works, but none of them came to fruition.

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