Harshvardhan Rane Linked to ‘Shootout in Dubai’, Franchise’s First International Chapter

Bollywood actor Harshvardhan Rane is reportedly in line to headline the next instalment of the popular Shootout franchise, tentatively titled Shootout in Dubai. While there has been no official confirmation from the actor or the producers, multiple industry reports suggest that groundwork is underway for what would be the franchise’s first international outing.

A New Setting for a Familiar Franchise

According to a report by Mid-Day, Shootout in Dubai is being developed as a fresh chapter that expands the franchise’s scope beyond Mumbai’s underworld. The film is expected to be set against the backdrop of Dubai, using the city’s global, high-contrast landscape to frame a fictional crime story.

The project is said to be backed by Ektaa R. Kapoor, in collaboration with filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, who co-created the Shootout series. Together, the duo previously delivered Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) and Shootout at Wadala (2013), both of which were inspired by real-life police encounters and became known for their stylised action and gritty storytelling.

Script in the Works for Years

Sources quoted in the report indicate that multiple drafts of the Shootout in Dubai script have been in development since 2021. The makers are reportedly focused on ensuring that, despite the shift in geography and the move to a fictional narrative, the film retains the franchise’s trademark intensity, tension and larger-than-life action sequences.

Unlike earlier films in the series, which were rooted in real events from Mumbai’s crime history, this instalment is expected to be entirely fictional, giving the creators more narrative freedom while staying true to the franchise’s tone.

What This Could Mean for Harshvardhan Rane

If confirmed, the project would mark a notable turn in Harshvardhan Rane’s career. Known largely for romantic dramas and intense character-driven roles, Rane has seen a surge in visibility in recent years. The re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam and the commercial performance of his 2025 romantic film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat have helped solidify his position as a bankable lead.

A lead role in a high-octane action franchise like Shootout would signal a strategic expansion of his on-screen persona into more mainstream, mass-oriented cinema.

No Official Word Yet

As of now, key details — including the final cast, director, shooting schedule and release timeline — remain unannounced. Neither Balaji Motion Pictures nor Harshvardhan Rane has issued an official statement confirming the project or his involvement.

Until then, Shootout in Dubai remains one of the more closely watched projects in development, especially among fans of the franchise and industry observers keen to see how the gritty series reinvents itself on an international stage.