Varun Dhawan Next Movie Bhediya 2: Release Date 2026 – Will Kriti Sanon Return?

Varun Dhawan next movie, Bhediya 2: 2026

Varun Dhawan next movie, Bhediya 2, is the next big chapter in Maddock’s Horror-Comedy Universe with a shifted 2026 plan to sidestep heavyweight clashes and align with the expanding slate.

Will Kriti Sanon return? A leading director in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe has teased that Dr. Anika’s fate was left deliberately unseen—strongly hinting at a comeback in Bhediya 2 or connected titles.

Let’s break it down — the cast, story leaks, production details, and where this sequel fits in Maddock’s growing horror-comedy universe that includes Stree, Roohi, and Munjya.

What Sparked the Buzz Around Bhediya 2?

Bhediya wasn’t just a horror-comedy that came out in 2022 – it “expanded the space” for more in India. When the transformation of Varun Dhawan’s character went viral, the VFX impressed even the haters, and Stree’s Shraddha Kapoor appeared in the post-credit sequence, the film’s makers knew they had created a universe. “Bhediya 2 is in works,” Maddock Films hinted as early as 2024, and the movie is set to hit theatres in 2026.

The announcement at Jio Studios’ event in Mumbai set social media on fire. Not gonna lie, I didn’t expect the buzz to last this long — but fans in cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai are still posting fan edits, speculating about the return of Kriti Sanon as Dr. Anika.

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Casting and characters

• Varun Dhawan reprises Bhaskar/Bhediya as the franchise lead, with Thamma positioning him for a bigger conflict arc.
• Post-credit setups across MHCU suggest Akshay Kumar’s Chandravanshi as an overarching villain figure, impacting Bhediya’s trajectory.

Story hints (no spoilers)

Thamma staged a Betaal vs Bhediya clash and hinted Bhaskar’s powers are compromised after Stree 2’s showdown—raising the stakes for his return journey.

Bhediya 2 continues the story of Bhaskar (Varun Dhawan), the man who turned into a werewolf to protect nature. The sequel is expected to pick up a few years later — with bigger stakes and a stronger link to Stree 3 and Munjya.

And yes, industry insiders believe it’s one of the most anticipated Bollywood movies of 2026, right alongside Shaktishalini and Chamunda, two other Maddock projects that will reportedly tie into this same cinematic world.

Amar Kaushik hinted that Bhediya 2 will explore a larger supernatural conflict — not just one werewolf. The sequel might introduce new creatures and expand the Stree Universe further, connecting with Stree 3 and Munjya.

Rumors also suggest that Akshay Kumar might appear as the “Sar Kaata Villain,” a headless antagonist teased in Stree 2. Wild, right?

Will Kriti Sanon return?

Now, that’s the million-rupee question.

Aditya Sarpotdar’s tease: Anika fell—but viewers never saw where; the ambiguity was intentional, hinting a possible return in future entries. Times of India echoed the hint, stoking franchise-wide speculation about Sanon re-entering via Bhediya 2 or an MHCU crossover.(source)

If she returns, it’ll mark her third collaboration with Varun Dhawan after Dilwale and Bhediya. Their chemistry worked wonders in the first part — and fans from Bangalore to Kolkata are vocal about wanting her back.

Maddock Films’ Big Universe Plan

Maddock Films has quietly built India’s first successful horror-comedy universe:

• Stree (2018) started it all.
• Roohi (2021) expanded it.
• Bhediya (2022) connected it.
• Munjya (2024) teased the links.
• And Bhediya 2 (2026) could finally merge them all.

Upcoming Maddock titles like Shaktishalini and Chamunda are expected to further this universe, blending folklore with modern Indian storytelling.

In short — Maddock is doing what Marvel did for superheroes, but for Indian folklore.

Market hype

The market response to Bhediya 2 is already heating up. Trade analysts predict an opening weekend collection of ₹25–30 crore, especially if it releases solo. Social media metrics show Varun Dhawan’s fan engagement has doubled since Bawaal and Jugjugg Jeeyo. Plus, the horror-comedy space is trending again thanks to Munjya’s success.

Fan demand stayed hot through 2025, with Varun’s social replies assuring “it’s happening,” even as dates moved for strategic reasons. Early buzz also suggests Bhediya 2 will target both cinemas and OTT, offering a Full HD movie experience for audiences preferring streaming platforms like JioCinema and Netflix India.

Early predictions

Box office: shifting from Independence Day week avoids 3-way collisions—likely boosting opening weekend and legs. MHCU synergy: with Stree 3, Chamunda, and Shakti Shalini lining up, expect cross-promos and post-credit hooks that lift Bhediya 2’s awareness.​

Quick facts table

Varun Dhawan’s Journey – From Coolie No.1 to Bhediya 2

Varun Dhawan’s filmography has seen highs and lows. From commercial entertainers like Judwaa 2 to intense roles in October, he’s always experimented.

But Bhediya (2022) gave him something new — a physical transformation, a CGI-heavy performance, and a script that pushed him out of his comfort zone.

Now with Bhediya 2, he’s expected to take that evolution forward — and maybe, finally, give fans the perfect mix of Bollywood entertainment and storytelling depth.

Music and vibe

Maddock’s horror-comedy tone remains—creature thrills, punchy humor, and folklore beats, with music usually tied to narrative momentum and crossover motifs.

Bhediya 2 will reportedly bring back Sachin–Jigar for the soundtrack. Their previous work — Thumkeshwari and Apna Bana Le — already had fans humming.

With the slate expanding, anticipate sonic callbacks linking Stree, Thamma, and Bhediya’s lore for continuity. The idea is to blend horror and Indian folklore with a cinematic polish rarely seen in Bollywood Hindi movies.

Conclusion

Honestly, Bhediya 2 feels like one of those sequels that could either redefine Bollywood’s genre cinema or fizzle if not handled right. But knowing Amar Kaushik’s track record and Maddock’s vision, the odds look good.

Now the question is — are we ready for India’s first full-blown supernatural cinematic universe? Because it’s coming.

What’s your take on Varun Dhawan’s next movie – Bhediya 2? Would you want Kriti Sanon back? Drop your thoughts below and share this story with your movie buddies!

Shubhankar