WE ARE ON IT

Fifteen years after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) captured hearts as one of Hindi cinema's most iconic road trip films, director Zoya Akhtar has shared a long-awaited update regarding its potential sequel.

Speaking with Anupama Chopra during a conversation hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India at the Monsoon Film Festival, Akhtar revealed that development on ZNMD 2 is currently underway alongside her longtime creative collaborator Reema Kagti.

The Sequel Status

Reports had surfaced earlier in the year that Akhtar was working on a script to reunite the beloved trio of Hrithik Roshan (Arjun), Abhay Deol (Kabir), and Farhan Akhtar (Imran).Akhtar also previously noted that Deol had actually conceptualized an entire storyline for the second chapter.

When pressed for a concrete update on the project, Akhtar confirmed:

"We are on it. We don't know what will happen and what won't... if we will get to a place it feels correct, in catching up with these characters today. But it will be nice."

Akhtar also addressed the internet frenzy sparked by a 2025 commercial set in Yas Island, which featured Roshan, Deol, and Farhan stepping back into their ZNMD dynamic.The promotional video caused fans to mistake the ad for a sequel preview, prompting a wave of enthusiastic—and later indignant—reactions.

"People thought it was a trailer," Akhtar recalled with a laugh."First, they were like 'YEAH!' but then I got abused in my DMs saying, 'This was not funny.'"

Addressing 'Posh-People Angst'

Beyond the sequel buzz, Akhtar weighed in on the frequent criticism that her films—namely Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do—focus primarily on the existential troubles and dysfunctions of wealthy, privileged characters.Despite also directing works centered on different socio-economic backgrounds like Gully Boy, the label of portraying "posh-people angst" continues to stick.

"It still comes up, but it does not bother me now," Akhtar explained."These are stories and as a filmmaker I got to tell stories of all kinds of people. I totally respect it if it's something that does not resonate with you. Or these are not conflicts and complexities you are interested in. But I am interested, and so I'll make them... someone will watch them."