After years of speculation and a stalled start, Dostana 2 is finally back in motion—but with a brand-new cast, creative team, and platform. Dharma Productions is officially reviving the much-discussed sequel to its 2008 hit, though the project has undergone a major transformation since its initial announcement in 2019.
Originally, Dostana 2 was set to star Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Lakshya, but the film was shelved shortly after production began, reportedly due to creative differences between Kartik and producer Karan Johar. Only about 20 days of shooting had been completed before the project was abruptly halted.
Digital Reboot with a Bold Twist
Now, four years later, Dostana 2 is being rebooted for an exclusive release on Amazon Prime Video under Dharma’s digital division, Dharmatic Entertainment, as per a report by PeepingMoon. The revised version takes a bold new direction, with Vikrant Massey and Lakshya stepping in as the leads—portraying a gay couple at the heart of the story.
Janhvi Kapoor, who was originally cast as the female lead, is no longer part of the film. The new female lead is yet to be finalized. Vikrant will reportedly take over the role initially intended for Kartik Aaryan, while Lakshya retains his place in the updated storyline.
New Director at the Helm
The reboot also comes with a directorial change. Advait Chandan, best known for Secret Superstar and Laal Singh Chaddha, has been brought in to helm the project. He replaces Collin D’Cunha, who exited due to scheduling conflicts with other commitments, including Call Me Bae Season 2.
Production is expected to begin in November 2025, depending on Vikrant Massey’s availability. The actor is currently busy with major projects like the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar biopic and Don 3. If finalized, this will mark his first collaboration with Dharma Productions.
Dharma’s Growing OTT Presence
Dostana 2 is now the second sequel from Dharma to bypass theaters for a direct-to-digital release, following Student of the Year 3, which is being developed as a web series for JioCinema’s Hotstar. The move reflects Dharma’s growing emphasis on streaming content through its partnership with Amazon Prime Video.
Kartik & Karan: A Fresh Start
Interestingly, despite the fallout that derailed the original version of Dostana 2, Kartik Aaryan and Karan Johar appear to have patched things up. The duo is now collaborating on two upcoming films—a romantic comedy co-starring Ananya Panday and a quirky creature comedy titled Naagzilla, both expected to roll out by the end of 2025.
