In a move that has sent shockwaves of excitement through Bollywood, veteran actor Anil Kapoor has reportedly acquired the rights to his cult classic political drama, Nayak: The Real Hero.
According to reports on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Kapoor purchased the rights from producer Deepak Mukut, signaling his intention to finally move forward with the long-awaited sequel, Nayak 2.
The Return of Shivaji Rao?
The 2001 original, directed by S. Shankar, saw Anil Kapoor play Shivaji Rao, a television reporter who accepts a challenge to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a single day. While the film had a modest theatrical run, it achieved legendary status over the last two decades through satellite television and streaming.
A source close to the development told Bollywood Hungama:
“Anil Kapoor has bought the rights… He plans to hold them as it’s a film close to his heart. He is fully aware of the love the film has garnered over the years and believes the subject has tremendous potential for a second part.”
24 Years of Nayak
- Original Release: September 7, 2001.
- Director: S. Shankar (Remake of his Tamil film Mudhalvan).
- Key Cast: Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, and Johny Lever.
- Trivia: Anil Kapoor recently revealed that while the role was first offered to Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, he felt a deep instinctual connection to the character and knew he had to play it.
The Roadmap for ‘Nayak 2’
While fans have previously seen rumors of sequels involving other directors, the acquisition of rights by Anil Kapoor himself suggests a more authentic continuation of the 2001 story. The actor recently celebrated the film’s 24th anniversary on Instagram, hinting that “some roles define you” and that the timing for a sequel “couldn’t be better.”
With the rights now secured, the next steps will involve finalizing a script that addresses the contemporary political landscape, which has changed drastically since the early 2000s.