Mumbai: The iconic Shootout franchise may soon be ready for a bold new turn, and this time the action could move far beyond Mumbai. Harshvardhan Rane is being linked with the next instalment of the gritty crime series, tentatively titled Shootout in Dubai. Although no official confirmation of this has been made yet, several reports indicate that the project is in an active development stage and may be the first international adventure of the franchise.
If the reports turn out to be true, Shootout in Dubai would bring a fresh setting and a new narrative to the much loved series, while staying rooted in the intense action and drama that made the earlier films cult favourites.
Shootout Franchise Plans a New Setting
A report by Mid-Day notes that Shootout in Dubai is being developed as a story on its own without the franchise being in the underworld of Mumbai, but a crime world that exists as a fictional one against the fantastic backdrop of Dubai. It is claimed that the concept is to investigate a new type of criminal ecosystem, which is predefined by the global and cosmopolitan image of the city.
Ektaa R. Kapoor supposedly produces the film together with filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, who coined the initial Shootout films. Their return has given the buzz weight since the pair have a successful history with the franchise.
The Shootout series began with Shootout at Lokhandwala in 2007, which dramatized one of Mumbai’s most infamous police encounters. This was succeeded by Shootout at Wadala in 2013. The two movies gained recognition due to their stylistic action, crisp dialogue, and real-life based plots.
Script Work and Harshvardhan Rane’s Possible Role
The report further suggests that the script for Shootout in Dubai has gone through multiple drafts since 2021. The makers are said to be focused on keeping the tense mood and raw impact that fans associate with the franchise. In contrast to the preceding movies, which were based on true-life events, this episode is supposed to be completely fictional, but with high-speed action and emotional drama.
Harshvardhan Rane’s possible association with the project has also caught attention. In recent years, he has seen a rise in popularity, especially after the re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam and the commercial success of the 2025 romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Being the star in a Shootout movie would be a significant change of pace in the sense that the actor would be in a more serious and violent role.
No Official Confirmation Yet
As of now, important details such as the final cast, crew, and release timeline remain under wraps. Neither Ektaa Kapoor’s production house nor Harshvardhan Rane has officially confirmed the project or his involvement. Nevertheless, the reports constantly rolling out seem to indicate that some talks are taking place behind the scenes.
Until an official announcement is made, Shootout in Dubai remains one of the most closely watched potential projects in Bollywood, with fans eager to see whether the franchise truly goes global in its next chapter.
