Awarapan, starring Emraan Hashmi and Shriya Saran in the lead, was an intense romantic musical. The characters, Shivam and Aliyah, were immortalised by Emraan and Shriya. Mohit Suri, best known for directing deeply emotional romantic dramas, gave Bollywood a memorable movie. Awarapan became a cult over the years after being declared a commercial failure at the box office. On public demand, Vishesh Films is bringing its sequel this Independence Day weekend. Awarapan 2 releases on August 14. Disha Patani plays the female lead in the Nitin Kakkar directorial.
Awarapan recap
Awarapan released 19 years ago. The sequel is a continuation of Shivam’s story. Ahead of Awarapan 2’s release, here’s a quick recap of what happened in the 2007 film. From Shivam’s death to Reema’s escape, let’s revisit the romantic drama before watching the sequel.
Awarapan story
Awarapan follows the story of Shivam (Emraan Hashmi), an atheist gangster working for Bharat Malik (Ashutosh Rana), a powerful businessman and crime boss, in Hong Kong. He is deeply affected by the death of his beloved, Aliyah (Shriya Saran). She is a devout Muslim. Shivam and Aliyah are head over heels in love with each other. However, her family is against their relationship. Shivam promises his father he will leave his gangster life behind and start a fresh life with Aliyah. Her father attempts to shoot Shivam, but he dodges the bullet, which hits Aliyah, and she dies. Shivam drowns in grief and guilt.
Who is Aliyah?
Some time later, Shivam hasn’t moved on from the tragedy. He is reminded of his incomplete love story when he interacts with Reema (Mrinalini Sharma), Malik’s mistress. She is in love with Bilal, and Malik senses betrayal. He asks Shivam, who is like his son, to keep an eye on Reema and her whereabouts. Loyal to Malik, he informs him about Reema and Bilal’s relationship. Malik wants them dead. When Shivam confronts her, she refuses to admit being in another relationship. He is reminded of his love story with Aliyah that did not get fulfilled. Emotionally, he lets Reema live her life with the man she loves. For the first time, he disobeys Malik.
Does Kabir die?
Malik is aware of this betrayal. Shivam attempts to leave Hong Kong with his best friend Kabir (Shaad Randhawa). It is not that easy for him to do so because Kabir deceives him by revealing his plan to Malik. He eventually regrets betraying his friend. Shivam risks his life to save Reema and Bilal; Kabir helps him.
Will Reema and Bilal return to Pakistan?
Shivam has a new enemy amid this. Ronnie, the biological son of Malik, is instructed to torture him until he agrees to kill Reema. Shivam escapes Ronnie’s custody and takes shelter at a monastery run by Siddharth Sood (Atul Parchure). Kabir rescues Bilal from Ronnie’s custody and takes him to the monastery, from where he and Reema are supposed to return to Lahore.
Reema is still in Malik’s custody. Shivam tracks her. Munna, Malik’s nephew, reveals the crime lord’s plan to ‘sell’ Reema to the person who ‘enjoys’ her the most. Shivam, who has a change of heart and believes in God and freedom, kills Malik to rescue Reema. He takes her to the dock where Bilal is waiting. Allowing Shivam to save Reema and Bilal, Kabir fights Ronnie and Munna’s gang; he is killed.
Why does Shivam die?
Reema and Bilal are safely en route to Lahore. However, Shivam stays back to fight Ronnie and Munna. The attackers are killed, but Shivam is injured. He dies, remembering Aliyah. But is Shivam really dead? Awarapan 2 brings him back and explains what happened to him after the events of the first film.
Besides Emraan and Disha, Awarapan 2 stars Shabana Azmi and Suvinder Vicky. The film releases globally on the eve of Independence Day 2026 alongside Batwara 1947.