Mitakshara Kumar To Reimagine Tanu Weds Manu Universe With New International-Set Film: Report

The Tanu Weds Manu universe is set to grow with a new film that promises to reimagine the much-loved franchise for a new generation. Heeramandi director Mitakshara Kumar has been roped in to direct the upcoming

project, which is being described as a bold reinvention rather than a direct continuation of the earlier films.

According to a press release announcing the project, the film will draw inspiration from Aanand L Rai’s iconic romantic comedy franchise while charting its own path. Unlike the earlier films rooted in Kanpur, the new story will be set against an international backdrop, with London emerging as a key location. The film is expected to go on floors early next year.

While the setting shifts geographically, the makers are keen to retain the irreverence, emotional depth and unpredictability that made Tanu Weds Manu a cultural phenomenon.

Sharing her approach to the film, Mitakshara Kumar said, “My vision is to create a film that feels familiar in spirit but thrillingly fresh in its storytelling — a story of love and identity that travels across borders, because the chaos of the heart is universal.”

Speaking about taking the franchise forward, Ridhima Lulla highlighted the responsibility that comes with reviving such iconic characters. She said, “Tanu and Manu belong to the audience forever. Their story didn’t just entertain, it created a cultural phenomenon in Indian cinema. Our responsibility now is to honour that legacy by doing what this universe has always done best: break rules, push boundaries, and redefine love with unapologetic honesty.”

Released in 2011, Tanu Weds Manu followed Manu, an NRI doctor played by R Madhavan, and his turbulent romance with the free-spirited Tanu, portrayed by Kangana Ranaut. The 2015 sequel, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, expanded the story by exploring their marital conflict and introduced Kusum, Tanu’s Haryanvi doppelgänger, also played by Kangana.

Both films received critical acclaim and emerged as major box-office successes, cementing their status as modern-day classics in the Hindi romantic comedy genre.