The first Lakadbaggha came out of nowhere in 2023 - a scrappy vigilante story about a young man who channels his rage into protecting the strays of Kolkata, shot through with a love for Indian martial arts that felt genuinely fresh. It didn't have a massive budget or a massive star. What it had was conviction. Three years later, that conviction has attracted a cast that would make any action fan sit up straight. Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business arrives in November, and the conversation around it has shifted from curiosity to genuine anticipation.
Release Date & Where to Watch
Mark your calendars: Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business hits theatres on November 6, 2026. It's a theatrical release, and given the scale of the fight choreography involved, that feels like the right call. The film is a Hindi-language Bollywood production, with Anshuman Jha returning to direct. Distributors haven't announced streaming plans yet, and honestly, don't expect any for a while - this one is built for the big screen, and the makers know it. Runtime details are still under wraps, though if the original is any indication, expect a lean, mean, and tightly paced affair rather than an overstuffed three-hour epic.
Cast & Crew
Here's where things get interesting. The sequel expands its roster considerably, and the names attached suggest a serious step up in scale.
Tony Jaa - yes, that Tony Jaa - leads a roster of international action talent that also includes Sunny Pang and Dan Chupong, two names that martial arts enthusiasts will recognise instantly from the Indonesian and Thai action scenes respectively. For a Hindi film to assemble this kind of ensemble is genuinely unusual, and it signals that Jha isn't thinking small.
Returning from the first film are Anshuman Jha as Arjun Bakshi, alongside Tofan Pirani, Naseem Mughal, and Sarah-Jane Dias. Adil Hussain, one of the most respected actors working in Indian cinema today, joins the cast - his presence alone suggests the film has ambitions beyond pure fight choreography. Jha directs in addition to starring, continuing the dual role he took on with the original. The title, The Monkey Business, hints at the simian-inspired martial art of the first film - the lakadbaggha is a creature from Indian folklore, and the franchise's connection to animalistic movement styles looks set to continue.
Story & What to Expect
Plot details remain firmly under lock and key. The official logline is simply that this is a sequel to Lakadbaggha (2023), with the story still to be revealed. That's it. No synopsis, no character breakdowns, no hints about where Arjun Bakshi's journey goes next.
What we do know is the genre: Action, with a capital A. The first film leaned heavily into Indian martial arts traditions while dressing itself in vigilante-thriller clothing, and the sequel's title suggests the animal-inspired fighting style will be central again. The addition of Tony Jaa, Sunny Pang, and Dan Chupong - performers known for practical, brutal, and beautifully choreographed combat - points toward a film that prioritises physical stunt work over CGI spectacle.
(Note: This film is unrelated to the 1998 Hollywood comedy of the same name.)
It's worth remembering that Jha has spoken in the past about his desire to build a homegrown action franchise that could stand alongside international counterparts. Casting this aggressively suggests he's putting his money where his mouth is. Whether the story can match the ambition of the casting is the million-rupee question.
Why It's Worth Watching
Let's be blunt: Hindi cinema doesn't often produce martial arts franchises with this kind of specificity. The first Lakadbaggha was made on a modest budget and still managed to showcase a distinct visual and physical identity. Now, with a bigger canvas and a genuinely international cast, the sequel has a chance to become something Bollywood has rarely attempted - a proper action series with its own mythology.
Tony Jaa's involvement alone is a talking point. The Thai superstar has been selective about his projects, and his presence here suggests the script and the choreography impressed him. Pairing him with Anshuman Jha, who has quietly built a reputation for choosing offbeat material, creates an intriguing dynamic. Add Adil Hussain for dramatic weight and Sarah-Jane Dias for star presence, and you have a package that appeals to both hardcore action fans and general audiences.
There's also something to be said for patience. Jha has taken his time with this sequel rather than rushing it out to capitalise on the first film's momentum. That's usually a good sign. With a November 6 release date locked and a cast that punches well above its weight, Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business is shaping up as one of the more intriguing Hindi releases of late 2026. If it delivers on the promise of its casting, Bollywood might finally have the action franchise it has been searching for.
