‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2’ in the works, Zoya Akhtar confirms

Fifteen years after “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” brought three friends together for a road trip through Spain, director Zoya Akhtar has confirmed that she is working on a potential sequel to the 2011 film.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India at the Monsoon Film Festival, Akhtar revealed that she is developing the project with her longtime collaborator Reema Kagti.

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“We are on it,” Akhtar said, while stressing that the sequel will only move forward if they can find a story that feels right for the characters at this stage of their lives.

“We don't know what will happen and what won't… if we will get to a place where it feels correct, in catching up with these characters today. But it will be nice,” she said.

The possibility of a sequel gained renewed attention after Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol reunited for a Yas Island advertisement in 2025. The campaign led fans to speculate that the trio were preparing to return for a second film.

Akhtar recalled that some viewers initially mistook the advertisement for a trailer.

“People thought it was a trailer,” she said, recalling the excitement surrounding the campaign before some fans expressed their disappointment after realising it was an advertisement.

Released in 2011, “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” follows three childhood friends—Arjun, Kabir and Imran—who embark on a three-week road trip through Spain for Kabir's bachelor party. The film starred Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Deol, alongside Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah.

Akhtar directed the film, which was produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment. The film was shot across Spain, India and the UK.

“Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” was a commercial success. According to Box Office India, the film was made on a budget of Rs 60 crore and earned Rs 153.16 crore worldwide, including Rs 121.12 crore in India and Rs 32.04 crore overseas.

While Akhtar has now confirmed that work on a sequel is underway, she has not announced a release date or confirmed whether the original principal cast will officially return.

For now, the prospect of reuniting Arjun, Kabir and Imran remains dependent on whether Akhtar and Kagti can find the right story to bring the characters back together.