Ayushmann Khurrana to star in Dream Girl 2, Ananya Panday joins the franchise

Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures has announced Dream Girl 2 (2023), the second film in the franchise after the success of the first one released in 2019. Like the first film, it will star Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead and Raaj Shaandilyaa will again return as director.

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The announcement comes through a hilarious video that funnily mentions the tough time Hindi cinema has had in this year, including the domination of south Indian films and the relentless boycott campaign. It also introduces Ananya Panday as the leading lady in the film named Pooja. 

Dream Girl 2 also stars Annu Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Raaz, Asrani, Manoj Joshi, Rajpal Yadav, Seema Pahwa, Manjot Singh and Abhishek Banerjee. Kapoor, Raaz, Singh and Banerjee were also a part of the first movie. 

Throwing light on the film’s subject, a statement from the makers said, “Dream Girl 2 traces the journey of a small-town boy Karam (Ayushmann Khurrana) who is trying to live a serious life in Mathura and falls in love with Pari (Ananya Panday) but life is hell bent on not taking him seriously. In a turn of events, Karam becomes Pooja which creates further chaos in his already chaotic life.” 

Sharing his happiness at the film’s announcement, Khurrana said, “I am super stoked about Dream Girl 2! This is my second outing with Balaji Motion Pictures and I am thankful to Ektaa that she has carried this franchise forward and made it bigger. I have found a friend in Raaj and its exciting to team up with him again. Ananya Panday has been paired with me and I am looking forward to see the audience reaction to our chemistry."

He added, "Along with a cracking ensemble cast of Annu Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Joshi, Rajpal Yadav, Seema Pahwa, Manjot Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, and Asrani saab, Dream Girl 2 is sure to take the audiences on a hilarious roller-coaster ride.” 

Reacting on entering the franchise, Panday said, “I am excited to be a part of Dream Girl 2 and working with the dream team of Ayushmann Khurrana, one of the finest actors of Bollywood [commercial Hindi cinema] and the true boss lady Ektaa Kapoor herself. I’m so grateful to be working with the most talented ensemble and of course the captain of our ship, the super Raaj sir. This one is going to be a treat for all those who loved Dream Girl.” 

Dream Girl 2 is to be released on the holiday of Eid, 29 June 2023.