Awarapan 2 Writer Bilal Siddiqui Says He Let The Fan In Him Take Over While Writing Shivam Pandit’s Return

When a film becomes a cult favourite, creating its sequel is not just a writing challenge, it is an emotional responsibility. Awarapan 2 writer Bilal Siddiqui has opened up about bringing back Emraan Hashmi’s iconic character Shivam Pandit, revealing that his love for the original film played a major role while developing the sequel.

A Fan Writing For Other Fans

Bilal Siddiqui admitted that he was a huge admirer of the 2007 original and approached the sequel from the perspective of someone who wanted to see Shivam’s journey continue. Instead of treating it as just another franchise film, he allowed the fan inside him to guide the writing process.

The Challenge Of Continuing A Cult Film

The biggest challenge with Awarapan 2 was following a film that had developed a strong emotional connection with audiences over the years. Bilal wanted to respect what made the original special while also creating a fresh journey for Shivam Pandit rather than simply depending on nostalgia.

Shivam Pandit Was Always The Centre

According to Bilal, the character of Shivam had unfinished emotional layers that gave the team room to explore a new chapter. The sequel focuses on taking Shivam into a different world while maintaining the depth and intensity that audiences loved in the first film.

Fans Had A Role In Shaping The Film

Bilal also acknowledged the impact of the original film’s fans while writing the sequel. From iconic emotional moments to the connection audiences had with the music, the team understood that the fan expectations were a major part of bringing Awarapan 2 to life.

Not Just A Nostalgia Trip

The writer clarified that the goal was not to simply attach a sequel title to any story. The team wanted a narrative that felt organic to Shivam Pandit’s character and justified why his journey needed to continue.

KnowBuddys Take

Writing a sequel to a cult film is basically entering a fandom battlefield. Bilal Siddiqui didn’t just bring back Shivam Pandit, he brought back the emotions attached to him. Sometimes the best person to write a fan-favourite character is someone who was already sitting in the audience cheering for him.