Shabana Azmi turns villain for 'Awarapan 2'

• Shabana Azmi joins the cast of Awarapan 2 as the antagonist
• She plays Nafisa, a criminal character in the Emraan Hashmi film
• The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 14 Aug 2026

Emraan Hashmi starrer Awarapan 2 is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. Adding to the excitement, Vishesh Films has now announced that veteran actor Shabana Azmi has joined the franchise.

The National Award-winning actress will be seen playing a negative character in the film, marking the first antagonist role of her career. While her casting adds excitement to the sequel, the tale behind her casting is equally interesting. Writer Bilal Siddiqui created a character from the inside out: a quietly authoritative presence in the criminal world whose arrival in Awarapan 2 turns the story in an unexpected way.

Shabana Azmi Joins Awarapan 2 As The Antagonist

Bilal gave the role its psychology, menace and the exact weight it needed to affect Shivam’s life.  What the character would look like, sound like and feel like was still to be decided. It was producer Vishesh Bhatt’s instinct to see the wider possibility: placing a woman in Shivam’s world would add a new, necessary shade to the film. That choice wasn’t just about casting — it reframed the story. The character became Nafisa, and there was only one person who could bring her to life.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vishesh Films (@visheshfilms)

Shabana Azmi joined the cast of Awarapan 2 on her birthday, 18 September 2025. With her arrival, Nafisa found her power, impact and place in the film.

The Instagram handle of Vishesh Films shared a picture of Shabana Azmi and wrote, ““Nafisa could only ever be Shabana ji… She came home on her birthday last year, and everything found its place.” We are deeply honored to welcome the National Award-winning legend Shabana Azmi to the franchise, marking the first antagonist role of her monumental career! She brings an unmatched impact and presence that will reframe the story completely. Awarapan 2 in cinemas 14 August 2026.”

Across a career of more than five decades and over 150 films, Shabana Azmi has rarely played characters with a negative shade. Awarapan 2 presents the first such turn: a role Bilal imagined for its force, Vishesh reimagined as a woman named Nafisa, and Shabana Azmi made her real.

Awarapan 2 is directed by Nitin Kakkar, written by Bilal Siddiqui and produced by Vishesh Bhatt. It releases in cinemas worldwide on 14 August 2026.