Sunny Deol is set to reprise his role as Ikka in the second instalment of Netflix’s courtroom drama. While work on the sequel is already underway, the franchise is taking a new turn, with Akshaye Khanna not returning for the follow-up.

Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, Ikka brought Deol and Khanna together nearly three decades after their iconic collaboration in Border. The film, which released earlier this year, centred on a high-stakes legal battle and marked a significant reunion for the two actors. Following the response to the film, the makers have now begun developing its next chapter.

A source close to the project told India Today that the writing for Ikka 2 has already begun. While Deol will continue as Ikka, the sequel will not carry forward Khanna’s character or the story from the first film.

“Writing for Ikka 2 has already begun. The story will continue with Sunny Deol as Ikka. However, the new season will be a new story, with Akshaye Khanna not continuing in the second part. The work on it is expected to begin next year. Right now, the writing and theme is being worked on,” the source said.

The sequel is still at the writing stage, with the makers currently working on its central theme and story. Production is expected to begin next year.

The development comes at a busy phase in Sunny Deol’s career. Following Border 2 earlier this year, the actor has a packed lineup of projects, including Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, in which he plays Lord Hanuman, and Antony, a Goa-set crime thriller where he will be seen as a police officer.

Meanwhile, Akshaye Khanna is also exploring a diverse range of roles following the success of Dhurandhar. The actor is set to portray Shukracharya in Mahakali, part of filmmaker Prasanth Varma’s cinematic universe.

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