The Indian film industry is riding high on the historic success of 2025 and is already gearing up for an even more spectacular lineup in 2026 and 2027. Top directors, from Aditya Dhar and Karan Johar to S.S. Rajamouli and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, have announced ambitious projects that promise to redefine cinematic spectacles. Here’s a detailed look at what the biggest names in Indian filmmaking are planning next.
Sequel Announcements and Franchise Expansions
Following a record-breaking run, Aditya Dhar is set to direct a sequel to his spy thriller 'Dhurandhar'. The original film, starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, has created history by crossing Rs. 1,200 crore worldwide and becoming the first Hindi film to earn over Rs. 800 crore domestically. The sequel, which will again feature Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy, is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.
Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga is busy filming 'Spirit' with Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. This pan-world release will be available in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and even Mandarin and Japanese. Once 'Spirit' wraps, Vanga will move to the highly anticipated sequel 'Animal Park', featuring Ranbir Kapoor reprising his role from the 2024 blockbuster 'Animal'.
Fans of the iconic comedy franchise also have reason to cheer, as an update on 'Hera Pheri 3' is eagerly awaited. The project, which aims to reunite Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty, saw Paresh Rawal briefly exit and rejoin in 2025, and audiences are now awaiting an official announcement.
New Ventures from Established Visionaries
Acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli is working on his most ambitious project yet, titled 'Varanasi'. With a staggering estimated budget of Rs. 1,000 crore, the film stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. It marks Priyanka's grand return to Indian cinema and will be the first Indian film shot in the 1.43:1 IMAX format. Rajamouli revealed that Mahesh Babu will portray Lord Rama in one of the film's story arcs. The epic is slated for a Sankranti 2027 release.
Another colossal project in the making is director Nitesh Tiwari's two-part adaptation of 'The Ramayana'. Boasting a stellar cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Yash as Ravana, the film promises a global-scale mythological saga using cutting-edge VFX. Part 1 is set for Diwali 2026, followed by Part 2 in Diwali 2027.
After the success of 'Pathaan', Siddharth Anand is re-teaming with Shah Rukh Khan for the action film 'King'. The movie also stars Suhana Khan (making her theatrical debut), Deepika Padukone, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhishek Bachchan, and Raghav Juyal. Positioned as a stylized action spectacle, 'King' is expected to hit cinemas in 2026.
Diverse Genres and Pan-India Releases
Karan Johar's Dharma Productions has a packed slate. He is backing the romantic drama 'Chand Mera Dil' (starring Lakshya and Ananya Panday) and the supernatural fantasy comedy 'Naagzilla' (featuring Kartik Aaryan as a shape-shifting serpent), both scheduled for 2026. In a strategic expansion, Dharma has also entered Malayalam cinema distribution, acquiring North Indian rights for 'Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies', releasing on January 22.
Director Atlee is developing a sci-fi spectacle titled 'AA22xA6' with Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone. Promising an international visual language with Indian emotions, the film involves several Hollywood technicians and is produced by Sun Pictures for a 2027 release.
Veteran director Priyadarshan has completed two films: the horror-comedy 'Bhooth Bangla' (with Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal) set for April 2026, and 'Haiwaan', reuniting Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 17 years, alongside Saiyami Kher.
Finally, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is bringing together Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Ranbir Kapoor for a complex love triangle titled 'Love & War'. Initially planned for 2025, the film is now tentatively slated for a June 2026 release, pending final confirmation.
The coming years are poised to be a golden era for Indian cinema, with filmmakers pushing creative and technical boundaries to deliver unparalleled entertainment to audiences worldwide.
