We saw the fear of 'Rahman Dacoit' in 'Dhandhar', and will Akshaye Khanna now play the dreaded villain in Tumbbad 2?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Ever since actor-producer Sohum Shah officially joined hands with producer Dr. Jayantilal Gada's Pen Studios, excitement surrounding "Tumbbad 2" has been rife. With the production house, known for producing big-budget films like RRR and Gangubai Kathiawadi, backing the sequel, trade circles are calling it one of the biggest projects currently being made.

Tumbbad went from being a sleeper hit to a cult hit.

Released in 2018, Tumbbad gradually transformed from a sleeper hit into a worldwide cult phenomenon. Its re-release in 2024 further cemented its legacy, introducing a new generation of audiences to its disturbing exploration of greed, mythology, and psychological horror. Now, as the sequel is set to go on floors early this year, the makers are reportedly aiming to expand the film's dark and immersive universe even further.

Akshay Khanna or Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the villain?

Amidst the growing anticipation, there's renewed buzz in the industry that the sequel's villain could be a major casting change. According to a source close to the development, “A powerful villain is central to the story of 'Tumbbad 2'. The team wants to enhance the sequel with a layered and compelling negative lead. Akshaye Khanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are two names currently under discussion.”

The source further added, 'The idea is to bring in a villain who is not only dangerous but also highly layered, someone who can match Soham's character in terms of intensity and depth.'

Both have a good grip on dark characters.

Both actors are known for bringing gravitas and psychological nuance to their roles. Akshaye Khanna's recent performances have demonstrated his mastery of serious characters, while Nawazuddin Siddiqui has long been known for portraying dark characters with a powerful veracity.

While an official casting announcement is still awaited, the mere mention of Akshay and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's names has already generated excitement. If Akshaye Khanna or Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the villain, Tumbbad 2 could deliver an intriguing showdown involving psychological complexity and mythic intensity.

Tumbbad was released in 2018 and was a sleeper hit at the time, but later garnered widespread public acclaim and critical acclaim. Its re-release in 2024 brought it even greater recognition. Sohum Shah plays the lead role and also produced the film. The horror fantasy is directed by Rahi Anil Barve. It grossed around ₹15 crore (approximately $1.5 billion) at the box office during its initial release and ₹38 crore (approximately $1.8 billion) during its re-release.

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