Bollywood
Mumbai, October 29 - One of the biggest stars of the 90s, Sunny Deol, broke the shackles and delivered one of the biggest blockbusters of Indian cinema with period action drama Gadar 2 in 2023. The actor followed this mega success with director Gopichand Mallineni's Jaat earlier this year and turned out to be a decent success.
The veteran star, who redefined the patriotic and action-hero image for an entire generation, hasn't looked back since Gadar 2 and now has a packed and promising lineup ahead. His upcoming projects span across genres — from emotional dramas and patriotic sagas to massive epic and actioner spectacles — marking one of the busiest phases of his career in decades.
1. Border 2
Release Date: 22 January 2026
The much-awaited sequel to the 1997 war classic Border is finally on the way. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is Sunny Deol's immediate release and will see him reprise his iconic character in a new story of bravery and sacrifice. Joining him are Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, adding youthful energy to the ensemble. The film aims to recreate the patriotic fervour of the original with modern scale and storytelling.
2. Gabru
Release Date: 13 March 2026
Touted as the most emotional role yet for Sunny, Gabru is an emotional drama directed by Shashank Udapurkar. The film, described as a story of courage, conscience, and compassion, will reportedly showcase Sunny in a deeply human and emotionally charged role — something different from his usual high-octane characters. The actor unveiled the first look on his 68th birthday, promising a moving tale that connects with the heartland audience.
3. Ramayana - Part 1
Release Date: Diwali 2026
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is a mega-scale epic saga, in which Sunny Deol plays the role of Lord Hanuman. The project, one of India's most ambitious cinematic ventures, features a massive ensemble, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as demon king Raavan. It's a refreshing departure for Sunny, who will step into an epic world far removed from his usual patriotic dramas.
4. Lahore, 1947
Release Date - 2026 (TBA)
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Lahore, 1947 is a period drama set against the backdrop of the partition of India in 1947. It is based on Prof. Asghar Wajahat's drama – Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai. The film is expected to delve into themes of sacrifice, resilience, and national pride — perfectly aligned with the kind of cinema Sunny Deol has always championed.
5. Baap
Release Date - 2026 (expected)
A nostalgic action ensemble, Baap pairs Sunny with other '80s–'90s action icons - Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborty, and Jackie Shroff, for a throwback spectacle. Directed by Vivek Singh Chauhan, Baap is expected to emphasise old-school heroics, punchy dialogues and crowd-driven moments.
6. Soorya
Release Date - 2026 (expected)
Soorya is said to be the adaptation of the acclaimed Malayalam film Joseph, with Sunny reportedly in the lead as a gritty, world-weary cop. This project places Sunny in a lean, procedural role — different from his traditional action fare and aimed at showcasing acting depth.
7. Ramayana - Part 2
Release Date - Diwali 2027
The second part of the epic, in which Sunny Deol has the full-length role, will be hitting worldwide cinemas in 2027. The movie will be released in multiple Indian and international languages, using a special technology.
8. Coal King
Release Date - TBA
Director Anil Sharma has reportedly pitched a larger-than-life action drama set against the coal mafia and its brutal underworld to Sunny Deol, who is said to have liked it. There is not much information available about the project yet, but reports say it will be the duo's next project after Gadar 2.
9. Gadar 3
Release Date - TBA
Talks are ongoing for Gadar 3, reuniting Sunny with director Anil Sharma to continue the Gadar saga. The first two films captured massive patriotic fervour and emotional catharsis; a third instalment would look to extend that narrative, leaning on the franchise's scale and the audience's attachment to the central characters.
10. Jaat 2
Release Date - TBA
Following the success of Jaat, the sequel is reportedly in the works, with Rajkumar Santoshi in talks to replace Malliani to direct it. With creative teams assembling and scripts being refined, Jaat 2 is positioned to continue Sunny's recent run of earthy action dramas.
Sunny Deol's upcoming lineup is intentionally diverse. Gabru and Soorya push him toward performance-driven drama; Coal King, Border 2 and Gadar 3 promise mass spectacle and nationalist themes; Ramayana offers epic scale, while Jaat 2 and Baap blend nostalgia with crowd entertainment. Together, these projects map out a carefully balanced second act.
Stay tuned...
