The gritty, adrenaline-fueled world of the Shootout series is officially leaving the gullies of Mumbai for the gleaming skyscrapers of the UAE. In a move that has sent ripples through the industry, reports confirm that Harshvardhan Rane will lead the charge in Shootout in Dubai, the third installment of the blockbuster franchise produced by Ektaa R. Kapoor and veteran filmmaker Sanjay Gupta.
While earlier chapters like Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) and Shootout at Wadala (2013) focused on the hyper-realistic documentation of Mumbai’s underworld, this new entry promises a radical shift. This time, the makers are trading historical police dossiers for a high-octane, fictional crime narrative set against Dubai’s cosmopolitan backdrop.
For nearly two decades, the Shootout brand has been synonymous with the “Encounter” culture of the Mumbai Police. However, Sanjay Gupta and Ektaa Kapoor are reportedly ready to evolve. Shootout in Dubai marks the franchise’s first international outing, taking the narrative to the United Arab Emirates.
The decision to move to Dubai wasn’t accidental. Insiders suggest that while early drafts considered Delhi as a potential location, the producers ultimately chose Dubai for its “scale and international visual grammar.” The film aims to capture a swankier, more modern version of crime—one that involves glass buildings, high-speed desert chases, and a global underworld network.
By casting Harshvardhan Rane, the makers have signalled a fresh start for the series. Rane, who has carved a niche for himself with intense performances in Taish and the cult favourite Sanam Teri Kasam, takes over a mantle previously held by industry heavyweights like Vivek Oberoi and John Abraham.
According to sources close to the production, Rane’s “rugged charm and visceral acting style” made him the top choice for the lead role. While the production house has not yet released an official statement, the actor’s recent physical transformation and cryptic social media posts have kept fans in a state of high anticipation.
“The makers were looking for an actor who could bring both vulnerability and aggression to the screen. Harshvardhan fits that mould perfectly,” a production insider revealed.
One of the reasons for the long gap between installments—it has been over a decade since Shootout at Wadala—is the meticulous development of the screenplay. Reportedly, the script for Shootout in Dubai has undergone six major drafts since 2021.
Both Ektaa Kapoor and Sanjay Gupta were reportedly adamant about not greenlighting the project until the script matched the “visceral punch” of the original films.
In a significant departure from the franchise’s DNA, Shootout in Dubai will not be based on a true story. The previous two films drew heavily from real-life gangland encounters and the investigative work of the Mumbai Police. This transition to fiction allows the director more creative freedom to explore a “modern visual language” that fits the swanky Dubai lifestyle.
Despite the move to fiction, the core “aggression and attitude” that fans associate with the brand will remain intact. The film is expected to feature the trademark slow-motion action sequences and heavy-duty dialogues that Sanjay Gupta popularized in the early 2000s.
The buzz surrounding the project has already reached major streaming platforms. Reports suggest that Netflix has secured the OTT rights for the film in a high-value deal, reflecting the global appeal of both the franchise and the Dubai setting.
As the production gears up to lock the final screenplay by March 2026, the industry is waiting for the official casting announcements for the antagonist and the supporting ensemble. Given the franchise’s history of featuring massive multi-starrers, expectations are sky-high.
