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In a surprising casting update that has sent shockwaves through Bollywood, Ekta Kapoor is reportedly reviving her famous horror franchise with a fresh twist. The third installment, now titled "Ragini 3" (shifting away from the Ragini MMS branding), is currently in talks to feature an unexpected pairing: Tamannaah Bhatia and Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan.
The "New Age" Ragini 3
The franchise, which launched the career of Rajkummar Rao in 2011 and saw a blockbuster sequel with Sunny Leone in 2014, is undergoing a major creative overhaul for 2026.
Supernatural Shift: According to industry reports, the makers are moving away from the "found-footage" and "horror-erotica" roots of the previous films. Ragini 3 is expected to focus more on supernatural storytelling and high-octane thrills.
The Original Captain Returns: In a move that has excited fans of the original, Shashanka Ghosh—who directed the first Ragini MMS in 2011—is set to return to the director's chair for this third chapter.
Production Hurdles & Director Shake-up
The project recently made headlines due to a sudden production roadblock.
Exit of Sahir Raza: Director Sahir Raza was originally attached to helm the film. However, he had to step down due to a scheduling conflict with a Netflix series he is showrunning.
The "Netflix Mandate": A new policy from Netflix reportedly required Raza to be present on his series' set daily, making it impossible for him to balance the Ragini 3 shoot.
Temporary Stall: This led to a brief period of uncertainty where reports suggested the film was "shelved." However, with Shashanka Ghosh stepping in, the project is officially back on track.
Why the Tamannaah-Junaid Pairing is Buzzing
Tamannaah’s Busy Slate: Following the massive success of Stree 2 and Khel Khel Mein, Tamannaah is currently at the peak of her "versatile" era. She is also set to appear in O Romeo alongside Shahid Kapoor and Vvan with Sidharth Malhotra.
Junaid’s Big Step: For Junaid Khan, this marks a bold move into the genre space. After his debut in Maharaj, choosing a gritty horror franchise like Ragini signals his intent to explore unconventional roles rather than just traditional romantic leads.
Read More: Ragini 3: Why Tamannaah Bhatia and Junaid Khan are the Most Unexpected Duo of 2026
