The year 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster for Bollywood sequels, with two highly anticipated films generating enormous buzz across the country: Awarapan 2 and Kesari Chapter 2. These back-to-back power sequels, packed with emotion, patriotism, and action, are returning to theaters with bigger stories and higher stakes. From Emraan Hashmi’s brooding comeback in Awarapan 2 to Akshay Kumar reprising his role in Kesari Chapter 2, fans are in for a cinematic feast.
Here’s an exclusive preview into what these sequels promise and why they’re among the most awaited Bollywood films of 2025.
Awarapan 2: Emraan Hashmi Returns to His Darkest Role Yet
Release Date: August 9, 2025
Director: Mohit Suri
Production: Vishesh Films
Seventeen years after the cult classic Awarapan (2007), Emraan Hashmi is set to return as Shivam, the grief-stricken gangster with a heart of gold. Directed again by Mohit Suri, Awarapan 2 picks up from the original’s emotional climax but with a twist—Shivam survives and begins a new chapter in exile.
The film promises intense action, haunting romance, and a deeper exploration of redemption. Emraan, known for his intense eyes and restrained performance, is reportedly in his finest form yet. In an interview, he shared, “Awarapan was the most personal film of my career. This time, Shivam’s pain is deeper, and his redemption arc is more powerful.”
New Cast Additions
- Rashmika Mandanna joins the sequel as a strong female lead, playing a doctor who unknowingly gets entangled in Shivam’s bloody past.
- Vikrant Massey plays a rival gangster and adds a fresh dynamic to the dark underworld setting.
Plot Tease
The story follows Shivam, now living anonymously in Istanbul, who is forced to return to India when his former crime syndicate resurfaces and threatens an orphanage he secretly funds. The trailer shows gritty action, slow-motion gunfights, and Emraan’s signature raw emotional scenes—reigniting fans’ nostalgia.
Awarapan 2 Music: The Soul Is Back
One of the biggest highlights of Awarapan was its iconic soundtrack, and Mohit Suri promises that Awarapan 2 will match, if not surpass, it. Composers like Mithoon, Pritam, and Jeet Gannguli have contributed to a melancholic, romantic, and Sufi-tinged album.
The first track, “Tere Bin Rehna Nahi,” a reimagining of the original classic, has already clocked over 15 million views in 24 hours on YouTube.
Kesari Chapter 2: The Legacy Continues
Release Date: October 18, 2025
Director: Anurag Singh
Production: Dharma Productions
Following the 2019 success of Kesari, which depicted the legendary Battle of Saragarhi, Kesari Chapter 2 ventures into a lesser-known but equally heroic saga of the Sikh regiment during World War I. Akshay Kumar returns as Ishar Singh’s son, continuing the legacy of valor and sacrifice.
Plot Overview
Set in 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the sequel focuses on the role of Sikh soldiers who fought valiantly for the British Indian Army on foreign soil. The film is a tribute to forgotten Indian heroes whose sacrifices in Europe have long been overshadowed in mainstream history.
Akshay Kumar, who underwent military-style training for authenticity, stated, “Kesari Chapter 2 is more than a film. It’s about honoring our unsung warriors who died not on Indian land, but for Indian dignity.”
Cast and Production
- Parineeti Chopra, returning in flashbacks as Ishar Singh’s wife, will have a more layered arc.
- Sunny Kaushal and Babil Khan join the cast as young soldiers, marking a generational shift in the narrative.
Shot across Punjab, Ladakh, and Hungary (to recreate European battlefields), the film boasts state-of-the-art production, authentic war costumes, and realistic trench warfare sequences.
The trailer, released on April 14 (Baisakhi), sent chills down viewers’ spines with its haunting war chants and powerful visuals of Sikh soldiers charging with turbans flying in the wind.
Fan Reactions & Social Media Trends
Both Awarapan 2 and Kesari Chapter 2 have trended consistently across social media since their announcements.
- #AwarapanReturns and #ShivamIsBack trended on X for 2 days straight after Emraan posted a cryptic teaser.
- #Kesari2Trailer amassed 5 million mentions on Instagram within 48 hours of release, with fans calling it “India’s answer to 1917 and Dunkirk.”
YouTube comments are flooded with nostalgic reactions, especially for Awarapan, with users saying, “We grew up with Shivam. Now, we’ll grow old watching him rise again.”
Why These Sequels Matter in 2025
In a year when Bollywood is trying to balance between high-concept storytelling and commercial viability, Awarapan 2 and Kesari Chapter 2 strike that perfect middle ground.
- Awarapan 2 appeals to millennials and Gen Z with its emotional depth and neo-noir storytelling.
- Kesari Chapter 2 caters to audiences who appreciate patriotic cinema, real heroism, and historical epics.
The massive anticipation also signals a shift back to story-first cinema, moving away from gimmicks and remakes.
Final Word
2025’s sequel season is poised to set the box office ablaze. Whether it’s Emraan Hashmi’s tortured anti-hero in Awarapan 2 or Akshay Kumar leading a brave army in Kesari Chapter 2, both films are more than just follow-ups—they’re cinematic movements celebrating legacy, resilience, and honor.
Mark your calendars. Buy your tickets early. Bollywood’s sequel game just went into overdrive.
