Dharmendra’s death halts long-awaited Apne 2
The film world mourns the loss of Dharmendra, and one casualty of his passing is a nostalgia-filled project that will now never see the light of day. Director Anil Sharma has confirmed that the sequel to the 2007 family drama Apne — popularly billed as Apne 2 — cannot proceed without the veteran actor.
“Apne to apno ke bina nahi ho sakti”
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sharma said the sequel was impossible to make without Dharmendra. “Apne to apno ke bina nahi ho sakti. Without Dharamji, it’s impossible to make the sequel. Everything was on track and the script was ready, but he left us. Some dreams remain unfulfilled. Without him, it’s not possible!”
A family reunion that won’t happen
Apne 2 had been imagined as a multigenerational Deol family drama, bringing together Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and young Karan Deol. Though announced years ago and long talked about, the film never moved into production. For fans who cherished the original, the sequel’s cancellation marks the end of a deeply sentimental chapter.
Sharma and Dharmendra — years of collaboration
The director-actor duo had a long history, collaborating on titles such as Hukumat, Elaan-E-Jung, Farishtay, Tahalka and the original Apne. Their planned reunion for Apne 2 was meant to be another emotional milestone — one that now remains unfinished.
Dharmendra’s final screen appearance and tributes
The veteran star, who was 89, passed away on November 24 after a prolonged illness. He had been discharged from Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital days earlier and was being cared for at home when his condition worsened.
Dharmendra’s last film to hit cinemas will be Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Agastya Nanda. The makers shared a tribute poster ahead of the film’s release on December 25, 2025, calling him “an emotional powerhouse” and writing, “Fathers raise sons. Legends raise nations. Dharmendra ji, an emotional powerhouse as the father of a 21-year-old immortal soldier. One timeless legend brings us the story of another.”
Nationwide condolences
Political and film circles poured in tributes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Dharmendra’s death on X, calling it “the end of an era in Indian cinema” and calling the actor an iconic figure whose versatility and screen presence left a deep imprint on generations of filmgoers.
While many projects and plans tied to Dharmendra will remain unrealised, his films and legacy continue to connect generations of audiences — and in that sense, his screen presence endures.
