Mumbai: Rising Bollywood actor Lakshya, fresh off the success of Kill and The Ba**ds Of Bollywood*, is reportedly stepping into superstar Akshay Kumar’s shoes for the much-anticipated sequel Rowdy Rathore 2. According to industry reports, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has finalised Lakshya for the project, which will feature him in a double role.
Lakshya in Rowdy Rathore 2
As per a report by Deccan Chronicle, the sequel is now back on track after initial delays, with Tamil director P. S. Mithran helming the film. The first instalment, Rowdy Rathore (2012), was a blockbuster hit, and expectations are high for its follow-up.
“Lakshya has replaced Akshay Kumar in Rowdy Rathore 2, and Bhansali has been closely involved in shaping the new version,” said the report. The sequel will reportedly introduce a younger, more action-driven narrative while retaining the film’s signature mass appeal.
Earlier, there were reports that Rowdy Rathore 2 had been shelved due to creative differences and studio uncertainty. “With Disney unwilling to commit, Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have decided to scrap the original sequel plan and repurpose the script into a standalone commercial entertainer,” a source told Bollywood Hungama.
The decision to bring in Lakshya signals Bhansali’s intent to infuse the franchise with fresh energy and appeal to a younger audience demographic.
Lakshya’s growing reputation as an action star
The young actor has been making waves in Bollywood’s action genre. His breakout role in Karan Johar’s Kill earned him critical acclaim for his intense performance and physical transformation.
He followed it up with a striking turn in Aryan Khan’s debut Netflix directorial, The Ba**ds Of Bollywood*, where he portrayed a high-octane action hero navigating the darker side of stardom.
Lakshya will next be seen opposite Ananya Panday in Chand Mera Dil, another Dharma Productions venture set for release in 2026. His current lineup suggests a strategic focus on mass entertainers and adrenaline-driven roles, positioning him as Bollywood’s next big action name.
About the Rowdy Rathore franchise
Released in 2012, Rowdy Rathore was directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ronnie Screwvala. The film starred Akshay Kumar in a dual role alongside Sonakshi Sinha and was an official remake of the 2006 Telugu blockbuster Vikramarkudu, directed by S. S. Rajamouli.
Packed with stylised action, catchy one-liners, and mass appeal, Rowdy Rathore marked Akshay Kumar’s grand return to hardcore action cinema after years of comic roles. Despite mixed critical reception, the movie became a massive commercial hit, collecting over ₹200 crore worldwide, and is still regarded as one of Bollywood’s biggest entertainers of the decade.
With Rowdy Rathore 2, Bhansali and his team are reportedly aiming to retain the film’s trademark swagger while introducing a new generation of action storytelling anchored by Lakshya’s youthful energy.
If the reports are accurate, this will be Lakshya’s first collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali — a move that could elevate his standing in the industry and further solidify his image as a leading man capable of carrying big-budget action blockbusters.