Alia Bhatt officially joins Tumbbad 2 as Sohum Shah welcomes her: ‘A new chapter unfolds’

As per earlier reports, she is expected to shoot for around 20 days, with her role playing a significant part in shaping the film's biggest twists.

Tumbbad is all set to get bigger. After days of rumours and fan speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Alia Bhatt will star alongside Sohum Shah in Tumbbad 2. The news has created plenty of buzz, with Sohum announcing her arrival by writing, “A New Chapter Unfolds.” The franchise is now preparing to enter a new phase, with Bhatt's addition expected to bring a fresh twist to the story.

Alia Bhatt steps into the world of Tumbbad

Alia Bhatt steps into the world of Tumbbad

Alia Bhatt has officially come on board Tumbbad 2, marking her first full-fledged foray into the horror genre. While Sohum Shah remains at the heart of the franchise, Alia's character is said to be a crucial part of the sequel rather than a brief appearance. After sharing the photos, Sohum Shah on Instagram wrote, "A new chapter unfolds. Welcome to #Tumbbad2, @aliaabhatt."

As per earlier reports, she is expected to shoot for around 20 days, with her role playing a significant part in shaping the film's biggest twists. The actor was impressed by the screenplay from the very first narration and didn't take long to say yes, drawn by the story's emotional depth and dark, immersive world.

In an official statement, Alia said, “Tumbbad has stayed with me ever since I first watched it. Very few films create a world that feels this original and immersive, and even fewer continue to grow in people’s imagination years after they’ve released. That’s what makes this opportunity so exciting. To now become a part of that world is incredibly special. I’m looking forward to working with Sohum and Nawaz, two artists I’ve admired for a long time, and to exploring a character that belongs to a story as rich, mysterious and unforgettable as Tumbbad. I can’t wait for audiences to experience what we’re creating together.”

Hindustan Times in March 2026 reported that Tumbbad 2 is being mounted on a much larger scale than the 2018 original. A massive 7–8-acre set is being built in Mumbai, with an entire city created for the film's first schedule. The sequel is reportedly being made on a budget of around ₹100 crore, making it one of the biggest horror films to come out of Bollywood.

Production began on April 7, 2026, under the direction of Adesh Prasad. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on December 3, 2027, carrying the tagline, "Pralay Aayega."

How Tumbbad became a cult favourite

When Tumbbad first released in 2018, it received widespread praise for its storytelling, visuals and unique blend of folklore and mythology. Despite premiering at the Venice International Film Festival, the film struggled at the box office and only managed modest collections during its original run.

Its journey changed after arriving on streaming platforms, where it slowly built a loyal fan following. The film's theatrical re-release turned out to be a massive success, earning over ₹38 crore and becoming one of Bollywood's biggest re-release hits. For Sohum Shah, who had also produced the film after several others passed on it, the re-release was a long-awaited validation of years of hard work.

The mythology continues to grow

Backed by Sohum Shah Films in association with Pen Studios, Tumbbad 2 is being positioned as the middle chapter of a planned trilogy. The sequel is expected to dive deeper into the terrifying world of Hastar, the cursed deity introduced in the first film. Along with Sohum Shah returning as Vinayak Rao, the film also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in an important role.