Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Zoya Akhtar Confirms Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Sequel Is Underway
Zoya Akhtar is a famous movie director in India.
She directed Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in 2011, a road-trip movie about three best friends in Spain.
The movie turned 15 years old recently and is still very popular.
Fans have been asking for a sequel for a long time.
Zoya has now said that her team is working on the sequel idea, but it is still very early.
She says the sequel will only happen if they find the right story for the characters today.
Last year, the three main actors appeared together in a five-episode advertisement.
Many fans thought the ad was a trailer for the sequel.
When they realised it was just an ad, some fans sent Zoya angry messages.
Zoya says she will announce the sequel when it happens.
Zoya Akhtar confirmed that work on a sequel to her 2011 road-trip film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is underway, though the project is at a very early stage.
She said the sequel will only move forward if the team finds a story that feels correct for catching up with the characters today, and she will announce it when it happens.
Last year's five-episode Yas Island advertisement campaign, Zindagi Ko Yas Bol, reunited Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol, fueling sequel speculation.
Akhtar recalled that fans initially thought the advertisement was a sequel trailer and then sent her abusive messages in her DMs when they realised it was not.
She responded to criticism about her films focusing on wealthy, privileged characters by saying she will keep telling such stories because audiences are watching them.
- Who
- Director Zoya Akhtar, who spoke with Anupama Chopra at the Nilaya Monsoon Film Festival and in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India; original stars Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol.
- What
- Akhtar confirmed a sequel to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is being worked on, though it is at a very early stage and will only proceed if the right story is found.
- When
- Recently, as the 2011 film marked its 15th anniversary; the reunion advertisement that fueled speculation aired last year, and Farhan Akhtar voiced interest in returning in 2025.
- Where
- At the Nilaya Monsoon Film Festival, where she spoke with Anupama Chopra and The Hollywood Reporter India; the original film was set in Spain.
- Why
- Fans have demanded a sequel for years, and last year's ad reunion renewed excitement; Akhtar said catching up with these characters today would be nice.
Film critics
Zoya Akhtar
Portrayal of wealthy, privileged characters
Film critics
Critics say Akhtar's stories largely revolve around wealthy, privileged characters whose conflicts do not resonate with most audiences.
Zoya Akhtar
Akhtar says stories are told about all kinds of people, respects that some audiences may not connect with her characters, and will keep making such films because someone is watching them.
- Director
- Zoya Akhtar
- Original film
- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
- Sequel status
- Work underway at a very early stage; no confirmed start date or cast
- Sequel history
- A sequel was discussed with Anupama Chopra five years ago, and a story had already been written around the characters
- Original lead actors
- Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin
- Original film box office
- Rs. 153.10 crore gross worldwide
- Awards won
- National Awards for Best Choreography and Best Audiography
- Reunion advertisement
- Zindagi Ko Yas Bol, a five-episode Yas Island campaign featuring the blue car and pink phone
Sources
ZNMD 2 on the cards? Zoya Akhtar hints at sequel to 2011 hit film
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2: Zoya Akhtar shares major update on Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar's sequel
'We Are On It...': Zoya Akhtar Hints At Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Sequel; Reveals She Got 'Abused' In DMs