In a surprising turn of events, Siddharth Anand, the acclaimed director behind the blockbuster hit “Pathaan,” has decided not to helm the sequel, “Pathaan 2.” Producer Aaditya Chopra, known for his penchant for innovation, aims to infuse a fresh perspective into the franchise by bringing on board a new director.

Released in 2023, “Pathaan” took the box office by storm, emerging as the highest-grossing film of the year under Siddarth Anand’s direction. However, Chopra’s decision to explore new creative avenues for the sequel has led to the search for a different director.

Chopra’s track record of swapping directors for sequels is well-documented. In the “Tiger” franchise, each installment saw a change in director, from Kabir Khan for “Ek Tha Tiger” to Ali Abbas Zafar for “Tiger Zinda Hai,” and finally Maneesh Sharma for “Tiger 3.” Similarly, the sequel to “War,” another blockbuster directed by Anand, is now under the guidance of Ayaan Mukherji.

With “Pathaan 2” set to commence production in December 2024, speculations are rife regarding who will take the director’s chair. While Chopra himself could helm the project, there’s also the possibility of Kabir Khan, known for his directorial prowess, being considered for the role.

As of now, the search for the new director is ongoing, keeping fans and industry insiders alike on the edge of their seats. The decision holds significant weight, as it will shape the trajectory of one of Bollywood’s most anticipated sequels.