The casting buzz surrounding Salman Khan’s much-awaited sequel, Kick 2, has intensified with strong speculation pointing towards Malayalam star Unni Mukundan joining the film as the main antagonist. The rumour mill began churning after the popular actor, known for his performances in films like Marco and Mikhael, posted a cryptic yet telling picture with producer Sajid Nadiadwala, strongly hinting at his involvement in the high-stakes action franchise.
The news comes hot on the heels of Salman Khan’s own confirmation during the Bigg Boss 19 finale on December 7, 2025, where he casually revealed that he “is currently doing Kick 2,” immediately after finishing his shooting schedule for Battle of Galwan. If confirmed, the casting of Unni Mukundan opposite Khan would mark a major Bollywood crossover and set the stage for one of the most exciting hero-villain confrontations in years.
The speculation originated from Unni Mukundan’s Instagram profile just days after Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss announcement. Mukundan shared a photograph of himself with Sajid Nadiadwala, the producer of Kick 2 and director of the 2014 original.
The caption accompanying the photograph was direct and loaded with implication:
“The Kick Start with the Man!”
This post was quickly decoded by fans and industry insiders as a clear signal that Mukundan has been roped in for a significant role in the sequel. Given the massive success of Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the villain in the first Kick, the antagonist role in the sequel is arguably the most coveted position. Mukundan’s recent body of work, particularly his commanding and intense roles in South Indian cinema, makes him a perfect fit for a formidable antagonist to Salman Khan’s ‘Devil’ character, Devi Lal Singh.
The foundational excitement for the sequel was provided by Salman Khan himself during the Bigg Boss 19 grand finale. Speaking to finalist Pranit More, the superstar dropped the major update that fans had been waiting on for over a decade:
“Haan, toh abhi Kick 2 kar raha hoon main,” Khan said, confirming that filming for the sequel is already underway.
This revelation, coupled with the news that Khan had just wrapped the principal photography for the action drama Battle of Galwan, indicates a rapid progression on the Kick sequel. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala is widely expected to return as director, maintaining the continuity and high-octane action style of the original. Jacqueline Fernandez is also heavily rumoured to be reprising her role alongside Khan.
Unni Mukundan commands a strong fan base across South India and has proven his mettle in action-oriented roles. His standout performance in the intense action drama Marco showcase his ability to balance action with complex emotional layers. His casting would continue the trend of Bollywood leveraging powerful performers from regional cinema to strengthen their narratives.
The original Kick relied heavily on the sophisticated chess game played between the hero (Salman Khan) and the villain (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). If Mukundan takes on the antagonist role, audiences can expect a villain that matches Salman Khan’s Devil in both physical presence and strategic brilliance, raising the stakes significantly for the sequel.
While an official announcement from Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment remains pending, the cryptic post and the close timing to Salman Khan’s revelation have firmly established Unni Mukundan as the frontrunner for the highly coveted antagonist role in one of Bollywood’s biggest action franchises.
