Rishab Shetty is now one of the busiest actors in Indian cinema. After Kantara in 2022 and Kantara: Chapter 1 in 2025, every big producer wants him. His next films are not small films. They are a mythological epic, a two-part historical film, a sequel to his own blockbuster, and a sports drama.
The biggest name on the list is Jai Hanuman. Rishab Shetty will play Lord Hanuman in it. Here is the full list of his upcoming movies, with the latest update on each one as of November 2026.
In This Post
Rishab Shetty Upcoming Movies List at a Glance
| Movie | Rishab Shetty’s Role | Director | Status as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jai Hanuman | Lord Hanuman, Actor | Prasanth Varma | Filming, release date not announced, expected in 2027 |
| The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Actor | Sandeep Singh | Two-part film, filming starts early 2027 |
| Kantara: Chapter 2 | Actor and Director | Rishab Shetty | Writing stage, no release date yet |
| Bell Bottom 2 | Detective Diwakar, Actor | Jayatheertha | Filming, no official release date yet |
| Untitled Sports Drama with Chidambaram | Actor | Chidambaram | Pre-production, filming starts next year |
| Rudraprayag | Director | Rishab Shetty | Announced, no confirmed date yet |
Why Everyone Wants Rishab Shetty Now
Rishab Shetty is not just an actor. He writes, directs, and acts in his own films. That is rare in Indian cinema.
Kantara, released in 2022, was made on a small budget and became a huge hit. It crossed Rs 450 crore worldwide and made the Bhoota Kola tradition of coastal Karnataka famous across India.
Then came Kantara: Chapter 1, released on 2 October 2025. Rishab Shetty wrote, directed, and played the lead role in it. The film was produced by Hombale Films, with music by B. Ajaneesh Loknath and Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah in important roles.
Kantara: Chapter 1 collected about Rs 852 crore worldwide, with about Rs 622 crore net in India. Its budget was reported at about Rs 125 crore. Together, Kantara and Kantara: Chapter 1 have crossed Rs 1,300 crore worldwide. That is why Rishab Shetty is now getting the biggest films in the country.
1. Jai Hanuman — Rishab Shetty as Lord Hanuman
This is the film fans are waiting for the most.
What is Jai Hanuman?
Jai Hanuman is the sequel to Hanu-Man, the Telugu superhero film that released on 12 January 2024. Hanu-Man was directed by Prasanth Varma and starred Teja Sajja as Hanumanthu, a young man who gets the powers of Lord Hanuman. The film was made on a budget of about Rs 40 crore and collected about Rs 300 crore worldwide. It was the first film in the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, also called PVCU.
Jai Hanuman is the next film in that universe. This time, the story is not about Hanumanthu. It is about Lord Hanuman himself.
Rishab Shetty as Hanuman
Rishab Shetty will play Lord Hanuman in Jai Hanuman. The film is directed by Prasanth Varma and produced by Mythri Movie Makers.
Rishab Shetty has said that when Prasanth Varma came and told him the story, he could not refuse it. He called it a fabulous and deeply interesting script. He also said that the photoshoot for the film was already done, pre-production was going on, and they would start shooting after Kantara: Chapter 1.
The story of Jai Hanuman is set in Kaliyug. It shows Hanuman in Agnyathavas, a period of silent exile, waiting for the call to fulfil his vow to Shri Ram. That is a very different Hanuman from the Hanuman we saw in Hanu-Man. This one is older, quieter, and more powerful.
Jai Hanuman Release Date
There is no official release date for Jai Hanuman yet, as of November 2026. Do not believe any date you see on social media unless the makers announce it.
Some websites list 20 November 2026 as the release date. That date is not confirmed by the makers, and there is no trailer or final shooting update to support it. The more reliable reports say the film is expected to release in 2027.
Here is what we know about the timeline:
- The film was announced in 2024, after Hanu-Man became a hit.
- Rishab Shetty was confirmed as Hanuman.
- The film was officially launched with a traditional puja ceremony on 22 February 2026 at Anjanadri Betta in Hampi. Hampi is believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, so the makers chose that place on purpose.
- Shooting was planned to start in March-April 2026.
- In October 2026, reports said Rishab Shetty’s next film after Kantara: Chapter 1 is Jai Hanuman, and it is expected to release in 2027.
So the honest answer is: Jai Hanuman is coming in 2027, but the exact date is not announced yet. We will update this post the day the makers announce the date.
Jai Hanuman Cast
- Rishab Shetty as Lord Hanuman
- Rana Daggubati is also part of the film, as per reports in October 2026
- Teja Sajja, who played the lead in Hanu-Man, is expected to make a special appearance in the sequel, as per reports. This is not officially confirmed yet.
- Mamitha Baiju is reported to be making her Telugu debut with Jai Hanuman. This is also a report, not an official announcement yet.
The full cast and the technical crew have not been officially announced yet.
Why Jai Hanuman Matters
Jai Hanuman is important for two reasons. First, it brings together two big names in Indian mythological cinema: Prasanth Varma, who made Hanu-Man a Rs 300 crore hit on a Rs 40 crore budget, and Rishab Shetty, who made Kantara a pan-India phenomenon.
Second, it is a pan-India film. It is a Telugu film, but Rishab Shetty is a Kannada star, and the film will release in many languages. After Kantara: Chapter 1 and Ramayana, Indian audiences are clearly in the mood for big mythological films on the big screen. Jai Hanuman fits that mood perfectly.
2. The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — Rishab Shetty as Shivaji
This is Rishab Shetty’s biggest historical film.
The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a two-part film on the life of the 17th-century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rishab Shetty will play Shivaji Maharaj. The film is directed by Sandeep Singh and produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series Films and Legend Studios. Rishab Shetty is also a co-producer of the film.
The film was announced on 30 October 2026, when Bhushan Kumar, Rishab Shetty, and Sandeep Singh shared a portrait of Shivaji Maharaj. Bhushan Kumar gave Rishab Shetty a century-old painting of Shivaji Maharaj to mark the start of the collaboration.
The film will cover Shivaji Maharaj’s military campaigns, his big victories, his leadership, and his vision of Swarajya, or self-rule. It will also cover lesser-known episodes from his life.
Arjun Rampal and Vivek Oberoi are in important roles in the film. Bhumi Pednekar is also reported to be part of the film.
Pre-production is already going on, and filming is scheduled to start in early 2027. The first part is expected to release in 2028, and the second part in 2029, as per reports. Some websites list 21 January 2027 as the release date, but that is not possible if filming only starts in early 2027. Do not trust that date. The makers have not announced a release date yet.
This film is important because it is Rishab Shetty’s first big Hindi historical film. It will take him to a new audience in the north, just like Kantara took him to the whole country.
3. Kantara: Chapter 2 — The Next Kantara Film
Yes, there will be another Kantara film.
Rishab Shetty has confirmed that Kantara: Chapter 2 is officially in development. He is already in the writing stage for this film. It will be the third film in the Kantara series, after Kantara (2022) and Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025).
Rishab Shetty has said that direction gives him a sense of peace and happiness, and he cannot stay away from it for long. Even while he is busy with Jai Hanuman and Shivaji Maharaj, he is thinking about Kantara: Chapter 2.
There is no release date for Kantara: Chapter 2 yet. It will come after Jai Hanuman and the Shivaji Maharaj films. Do not expect it before 2028 or 2029. We will update this post when Rishab Shetty announces more details.
4. Bell Bottom 2 — Rishab Shetty as Detective Diwakar Again
Bell Bottom (2019) was the film that made Rishab Shetty a lead actor. He played Detective Diwakar, a police officer in the 1980s, in a comedy thriller directed by Jayatheertha. The film was a hit and is still loved by Kannada audiences.
Bell Bottom 2 is the sequel to that film. Rishab Shetty will return as Detective Diwakar, and Jayatheertha will direct it again. The film is in the filming stage, as per reports.
There is no official release date for Bell Bottom 2 yet. Some websites list 5 November 2027, but the makers have not confirmed that date. This is a Kannada film, and it will be a lighter, fun film after the heavy mythological and historical films on this list.
5. Untitled Sports Drama with Chidambaram
Rishab Shetty will team up with Chidambaram, the director of the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, for two films.
The first film in this deal is a Kannada sports drama. It is in pre-production, and filming is expected to start next year. The film will be produced by Shibu Thameens. The plot and the supporting cast have not been revealed yet.
This is an interesting film because it is a new genre for Rishab Shetty. After mythological films, historical films, and thrillers, a sports drama will show a different side of him. The second film in this deal has not been announced yet.
Rishab Shetty will start this film after he finishes Jai Hanuman.
6. Rudraprayag — Rishab Shetty as Director
Rudraprayag is a film Rishab Shetty announced as a director long ago. It is an action drama, and Rishab Shetty is the director of the film.
There is no confirmed release date for Rudraprayag yet. Some websites list different dates in 2026 and 2027, but none of them are confirmed by the makers. This film has been delayed for a long time, and Rishab Shetty is now busy with Jai Hanuman, Shivaji Maharaj, and Kantara: Chapter 2. So Rudraprayag is likely to come only after those films, if it comes at all.
We have kept it on this list because fans still ask about it, but do not wait for it in 2026 or 2027.
Other Reported Films
Apart from the films above, Rishab Shetty’s name is also linked to a few other projects in reports:
- A film with Sithara Entertainments, directed by Ashwin Gangaraju. No details have been officially announced yet.
- A film called Nathuram, directed by Vinu Balanja. No details have been officially announced yet.
- A film called Antagoni Shetty. No details have been officially announced yet.
These are only reports and listings on movie websites. The makers have not confirmed them. We will add them to this post only when there is an official announcement.
Which Rishab Shetty Film Are You Most Excited For?
For most fans, the answer is Jai Hanuman. It is the next film, it has the biggest buzz, and it brings together Rishab Shetty and Prasanth Varma.
But The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the biggest film in terms of scale. A two-part historical film with T-Series backing it is a big step for a Kannada actor.
And Kantara: Chapter 2 is the film that will decide if the Kantara franchise can continue its Rs 1,300 crore run.
Tell us in the comments: which one are you waiting for the most — Jai Hanuman, Shivaji Maharaj, or Kantara: Chapter 2?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rishab Shetty’s next movie?
Rishab Shetty’s next movie is Jai Hanuman. He plays Lord Hanuman in it, and it is directed by Prasanth Varma. The film is expected to release in 2027, but no official date has been announced yet.
When will Jai Hanuman release?
Jai Hanuman does not have an official release date yet, as of November 2026. Reports say it is expected to release in 2027. Some websites list 20 November 2026, but that date is not confirmed by the makers.
Who is playing Hanuman in Jai Hanuman?
Rishab Shetty is playing Lord Hanuman in Jai Hanuman. Teja Sajja, who played the lead in Hanu-Man (2024), is expected to make a special appearance in the sequel.
Is Jai Hanuman a sequel to Hanu-Man?
Yes. Jai Hanuman is the sequel to Hanu-Man (2024). Hanu-Man was the first film in the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe. Jai Hanuman is the next film in that universe.
What is Rishab Shetty’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj movie?
The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a two-part historical film in which Rishab Shetty plays Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is directed by Sandeep Singh and produced by T-Series. Filming starts in early 2027, and the first part is expected in 2028.
Will there be a Kantara: Chapter 2?
Yes. Rishab Shetty has confirmed that Kantara: Chapter 2 is in development and he is in the writing stage. There is no release date yet.
Final Words
Rishab Shetty’s upcoming movies list is one of the strongest in Indian cinema right now. From Jai Hanuman in 2027 to Shivaji Maharaj in 2028-2029 and Kantara: Chapter 2 after that, he has films lined up for the next three to four years.
The key date to watch is Jai Hanuman. The day the makers announce its release date, trailer, and full cast, this post will be updated. Until then, do not believe any fake release date on social media.
Which film are you waiting for? Jai Hanuman, Shivaji Maharaj, or Kantara: Chapter 2? Let us know in the comments.
