Singh Is Kinng 2 in the works without Akshay Kumar, producer wants Ranveer Singh

Producer Shailendra Singh has made it clear that his first choice for Singh Is Kinng 2 is Ranveer Singh, and if things don't materialise with him, he will approach Diljit Dosanjh. Here's more about the project.

In Short

• Producer Shailendra Singh has planned Singh Is Kinng 2
• He said he regained the title after 12 years
• Akshay Kumar is unlikely to return for the second part in the franchise

Producer Shailendra Singh, who had earlier 'gifted' the title Singh Is Kinng to Akshay Kumar and fellow producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, is back at planning his passionate project - Singh Is Kinng 2. As per a media report, the producer has made up his mind and the initial work has begun on converting the romantic-comedy into a franchise, with the second part rolling next year. But, to the fans' disappointment, he is not thinking about getting Akshay Kumar back for the second part.

A report in Mid-Day quoted Shailendra Singh confirming that it took him 12 years to get the title back, and now that he has finally received it, he doesn't want to delay the production on the film, which could either be titled Singh Is Kinng 2 or Singh Is Kinng Returns.

He said the film is expected to be on the floor towards the end of next year. Shailendra said, "I had gifted the title to Akshay Kumar, and they tried to make part two, but I asked them to return the title as I wanted to make a sequel. After 12 years of going back and forth with Vipul and Akshay, I finally got the title three years ago. I have started the process of [making] Singh Is Kinng 2. I will begin production from October 2025 so that I can release it in 2026."

The report further mentioned that the producer had initially thought about getting Happy Singh, the protagonist, on a new mission to bring the Koh-i-noor back to India. However, that didn't work out, and now he has decided to change his protagonist altogether. He explained, "But that didn't get made. Now, I am mounting the second part because it seems to be the era of sequels and remakes. We’ll see whether the final name will be Singh Is Kinng 2 or Singh Is Kinng Returns. The hero won’t be called Happy Singh. We'll create a new character."

In all possibilities, the film is not going to have Akshay on board, who played Happy Singh alongside Katrina Singh in the 2008 hit film. Shailendra Singh revealed that his first choice for the role is Ranveer Singh, who is quirky, energetic and has the qualities that suit the character best. "My first choice is Ranveer Singh. We reached out to his manager on Saturday. His energy, cheekiness and fun fit the character. Also, Ranveer has never played a Sardar before."

The actor was reportedly offered the same film in 2017 as well, but things didn't work out at that time. Shailendra insisted that the time is different today and the talks are on with the actor's team. The producer added that his second choice is Diljit Dosanjh.

He shared, "Now the time is right for both Singhs, Ranveer and Shailendra, to create magic. If Ranveer doesn’t work out, then Diljit is my next choice," adding that he wants either Priyadarshan or Anees Bazmee to direct the film.

Singh Is Kinng is one of the most successful and celebrated films of Akshay's career. It also featured Sonu Sood, Jaaved Jaaferi, Kirron Kher, the late Om Puri and Ranvir Shorey, among others. It was directed by Anees Bazmee.