Kunal Kemmu Confirms Madgaon Express 2: “I Have a Story to Tell”

Kunal Kemmu is officially heading back to the chaotic world of “Madgaon Express.” The actor-director has confirmed to Variety India that a sequel to his hit 2024 directorial debut is in development, ending months of speculation and hints from his cast.

The Confirmation

Speaking to Variety India while promoting his latest directorial venture “Vibe,” Kemmu confirmed he is actively developing “Madgaon Express 2.” He was careful not to commit to a specific timeline, instead explaining his personal philosophy behind the sequel: he had always maintained he would only make a follow-up if he genuinely felt there was a story worth telling, and that his collaborators and producers had respected that and left the decision entirely up to him. On the script itself, Kemmu confirmed he has a story written and, for now, chose to keep further details close to the chest.

Kemmu also reflected on his unexpected love for directing, saying the experience of making “Madgaon Express” allowed him to feel more like himself than acting ever had.

Reported Production Timeline

While Kemmu himself hasn’t locked in an official date, multiple reports citing sources close to the project suggest the sequel is currently in pre-production and expected to go on floors around February or March 2027. According to a Mid-Day report, Kemmu has already finalised the screenplay, having reportedly locked it roughly a month before the report surfaced. A source close to the production said the three lead actors are excited about returning to their beloved characters, and that if things go according to plan, filming will begin in that February-March window, with pre-production currently underway.

The Returning Cast and Story Direction

Reports indicate the original trio — Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, and Avinash Tiwary — are expected to reprise their roles as Ayush, Dodo, and Pinku respectively, the three childhood friends whose misadventures anchored the first film. Divyenndu had actually hinted at the sequel earlier, during promotions for one of his recent OTT projects, mentioning that Kemmu was already working on the script well before the official confirmation. Rather than simply recycling the situational comedy of the original, Kemmu reportedly wants to treat the sequel as a natural extension of the trio’s friendship and ongoing adventures, building on the world of the first film instead of retreading it.

The Original Film’s Success

“Madgaon Express,” which released on March 22, 2024, marked Kemmu’s directorial debut after more than two decades as an actor in films like “Kalyug,” “Traffic Signal,” and “Go Goa Gone.” The crime comedy, produced by Excel Entertainment, followed three childhood friends whose long-planned Goa trip spirals into chaos. It became a genuine word-of-mouth hit, grossing an estimated ₹57.34 crore worldwide and earning four nominations at the 70th Filmfare Awards, including a Best Debut Director nod for Kemmu himself.

Why It Matters

With the original film’s sleeper success and awards recognition still fresh in audiences’ minds, official confirmation of a sequel — paired with reports of an already-locked script and a expected 2027 shoot — signals that Kemmu is treating the follow-up with the same care that made the first film connect so strongly, rather than rushing out a cash-in continuation.

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