Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2 is finally happening! Zoya Akhtar locks script to reunite Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol
Zoya Akhtar has finalised the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2 script, focusing on the trio in their 40s. While Dahaad and Jee Le Zaraa are priorities, filming may start by late 2026.
Last Updated: 03.24 PM, Feb 10, 2026
The much-anticipated sequel to Zoya Akhtar's 2011 cult hit Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) has reportedly progressed to a major milestone in production. The filmmaker has reportedly locked the first script draft, according to industry insiders, so we may soon see Arjun, Imraan, and Kabir's lives brought back to the screen again.
What will the new storyline explore for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara trio?
The original cast, which included Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol, would be back for a potential sequel that follows their 40s. The new story is likely to shed light on the intricacies of midlife decisions, the inevitable change in long-term friendships, and the burden of unfulfilled aspirations, shifting the focus away from the unfettered exploration of their youth.
There has been much fan demand for a second installment, but Akhtar has famously said that she would only return to the ZNMD universe if the story warranted it. As per a report in Mid Day, the revised screenplay accomplishes that goal, according to production insiders, by centring on the real-time events that have transpired since the trio's life-altering journey across Spain.
How does Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel plan to avoid being a simple "rehash"?
According to an insider informing the tabloid, Akhtar has finally settled on a draft that she is satisfied with. The only way a sequel to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara would be greenlit was if it had fresh content, as she consistently made clear. The film doesn't recycle old plot points; rather, it recognises the passage of time and the evolution of the three men's lives.
The script is complete, but getting three of Bollywood's top actors at the same time is a logistical hurdle that will delay the project's start. Roshan, Deol, and Farhan are presently involved in preliminary talks, although no official announcements have been made as of yet.
Does Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara cast's availability dictate the film's future?
"The intent is to reunite the boys, but it all depends on the alignment of dates," the source said, bringing attention to the complicated scheduling issues that sometimes arise with the popular ensemble cast.
Production on Dahaad Season 2 is underway under Akhtar's production banner. The grittier police procedural, which stars Sonakshi Sinha and Gulshan Devaiah, has just started shooting in Rajasthan and is anticipated to take precedence over the ZNMD sequel. If everything proceeds as planned, the sequel's filming could begin as early as the end of 2026.
What is the current status of Farhan Akhtar's Jee Le Zaraa?
Farhan's Jee Le Zaraa is also set to begin production soon, while the news of the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel has just broken. The project has encountered multiple setbacks in terms of schedule and casting since its announcement in 2021, starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt. After putting Don 3 on hold for a while, Farhan reportedly gave the female-led road movie his whole attention.
If Jee Le Zaraa and the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel are indeed produced in back-to-back production, it will constitute a fruitful period for Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby. This trilogy, which started with the seminal Dil Chahta Hai in 2001, will essentially center around friendship.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2 FAQs:
Q: Is Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2 confirmed?
A: While an official announcement from Tiger Baby or Excel Entertainment is still awaited, industry reports as of February 10, 2026, confirm that Zoya Akhtar has officially locked the first draft of the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2 script. This is the most significant progress made on the sequel since the original film's release in 2011.
Q: Will the original cast return for ZNMD 2?
A: Yes, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2 is being developed specifically for the original trio: Hrithik Roshan (Arjun), Farhan Akhtar (Imraan), and Abhay Deol (Kabir). Preliminary discussions are currently underway, though the project's start date depends on the simultaneous "alignment of dates" for all three stars.
Q: Is Jee Le Zaraa also happening?
A: Yes. Farhan Akhtar has reportedly prioritized Jee Le Zaraa—the female-led road trip film starring Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas—following the pause on Don 3. This film is expected to serve as a spiritual contemporary to the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel.