Emraan Hashmi shines in Awarapan 2, but does it live up to the original?

Awarapan 2 Review: Emraan Hashmi's Strong Comeback, But Does It Match the Original 'Awarapan'?

Nearly two decades later, Emraan Hashmi has returned to the big screen as Shivam Pandit. Although the 2007 release Awarapan didn’t achieve major box office success, the film gradually gained a special cult following over time. Riding on this popularity and nostalgia, Awarapan 2 has now hit theaters.

The release date for Awarapan 2 was set for August 14, 2026. Released during the long Independence Day weekend, the film faces direct competition from Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947.

Awarapan 2 Movie Review: Emraan Hashmi is the Biggest Strength

The biggest strength of Awarapan 2 is, once again, Emraan Hashmi. His return as Shivam Pandit gives the film the emotional connection that has drawn audiences to watch this sequel.

Early reactions on social media have praised Emraan Hashmi's performance, the film's music, action, and background score. For longtime fans, seeing Shivam Pandit again strengthens the nostalgia factor.

However, critics’ opinions are divided. Some reviews call the film entertaining and commend Emraan Hashmi's performance, while others raise questions about the screenplay and emotional impact.

Does Awarapan 2 Match the Impact of the Original?

This is the film's biggest question.

The original Awarapan wasn’t just known for its action or Emraan Hashmi's screen presence. Its emotional core, tragic romance, and soulful music were its greatest strengths. Over time, these elements gave the film its cult status.

In Awarapan 2, the makers have reused the old characters and nostalgia, but according to reviews, the sequel doesn’t manage to recreate the same emotional grip as its predecessor.

Some critics believe that while Emraan Hashmi is in full form, the script doesn’t always support him. This is why Awarapan 2 reviews feature simultaneous praise for the performance and criticism of the screenplay.

Awarapan 2 Box Office Collection: A Strong Start

At the box office, the film appears to be performing well for now.

Talking about Awarapan 2's box office collection, the film showed strong performance in advance booking even before its release. According to a report by Indian Express, Awarapan 2 surpassed Batwara 1947 by approximately ₹7 crore in advance booking for the first day. The film’s initial occupancy was also reported to be better than Sunny Deol’s film.

In final advance booking figures, Awarapan 2 sold around 2.85 lakh tickets and recorded approximately ₹8.57 crore gross in advance bookings.

This clearly shows that the film is benefiting the most from Emraan Hashmi’s fan following and the nostalgia value of Awarapan.

However, advance booking and final box office collections are different matters. The real picture will become clearer after the weekend and word-of-mouth reviews.

Awarapan vs Awarapan 2: The Journey from 2007 to 2026

The 2007 Awarapan was one of those films in Emraan Hashmi’s career whose popularity grew more in the years following its release.

At the time, the film wasn’t a big box office hit, but its music and emotional storyline gradually earned it a cult audience. Awarapan 2 even made it to IMDb’s 2026 list of most anticipated Indian movies, showing that anticipation for the sequel had been building for a long time.

Now, Awarapan 2 is trying to turn that legacy into commercial success.

What is Awarapan 2’s IMDb Rating?

The film is listed on Awarapan 2’s IMDb page, but IMDb ratings can change rapidly on the release day. Therefore, it wouldn’t be accurate to consider the initial rating as the final audience verdict.

Audience response in the coming days, especially after the Independence Day weekend, will be more significant in determining the film’s rating.

Awarapan OTT Release: When and Where to Watch?

As of now, there is no confirmed streaming date for Awarapan’s OTT release.

Currently, the film’s primary release is theatrical, and audiences can watch it in cinemas. The official announcement of the OTT platform and streaming date will provide further clarity.

Awarapan 2 Verdict

In conclusion, the biggest strengths of Awarapan 2 are Emraan Hashmi and the nostalgia associated with the original Awarapan. His return as Shivam Pandit is a major draw for fans, and early box office trends also appear to favor the film.

However, if the question is whether the sequel fully replicates the emotional intensity and impact of the first film, the initial reactions from critics don’t give a definitive yes.

Awarapan 2 is a sequel that Emraan Hashmi fans and audiences connected to the original Awarapan will definitely want to explore, but nostalgia alone may not be enough to keep a sequel thriving at the box office for long.