In April, mid-day reported that Taapsee Pannu and filmmaker Anubhav Sinha had kicked off Mulk 2, the sequel to their hard-hitting 2018 courtroom drama (Court mein phir se haazir ho, April 14). Over a month on, work on the drama is on in full swing. The actor, over the past two weeks, has been filming pivotal scenes at a Bandra church, which has been transformed into a courtroom for the shoot.

Like Mulk, the sequel will explore themes of identity, faith, and civil liberties. It remains unclear whether Pannu is reprising her role of lawyer Aarti.

A source from the unit reveals, “Taapsee has been shooting courtroom portions over the past few days. The emotionally charged sequences see her delivering lengthy monologues. She is fully prepped, and one can see how deeply she is invested in the material.”

From what we’ve heard, the Mumbai leg will go on for another four days. After that, Sinha is apparently planning an intensive 20-day outdoor schedule in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Another insider tells us, “Anubhav’s past films are proof that he tells his stories in a gritty and realistic manner. He wants to root Mulk 2’s story in its social and geographical context. Locations have been finalised in Lucknow, Meerut, and Karnal, where the director will film some rally and courtroom scenes. The movie will have another 20-25 days of work before he calls it a wrap.”

After Mulk 2, Pannu will move to Haseen Dillruba 3.

Anubhav Sinha’s career can be divided into two parts, pre- and post-Mulk (2018). The Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu-led courtroom drama marked a new chapter in his filmmaking career as he went on to helm several hard-hitting movies. Now, it looks like the director is back to where it all started—sources tell us he is filming his next, Mulk 2. For the sequel, Sinha has reunited with not only Pannu, but also Gaurav Solanki, who wrote Article 15 (2019).

In February, Pannu had hinted at a reunion as she celebrated five years of their film, Thappad (2020). A source says, “Anubhav has begun filming his next with Taapsee. Like Mulk, the movie explores a socially relevant theme.”

The 2018 offering examined the bigotry faced by a Muslim family. It’s not known yet whether Mulk 2 picks up where the first ended or is a spiritual sequel. 

The movie will apparently also feature Manoj Pahwa, who starred in Mulk.