Raj Kumar Gupta Set to Direct New Junglee Pictures Tentpole Film

Raid franchise director Raj Kumar Gupta teams with Junglee Pictures for a major new theatrical project.

India’s genre and prestige cinema lanes are colliding in a big way, as Raj Kumar Gupta, the filmmaker behind the Raid franchise, has officially signed on to direct a new tentpole theatrical feature for Junglee Pictures, per an exclusive report.

The collaboration pairs one of contemporary Bollywood’s most consistent directors of reality-rooted thrillers with a studio that has quietly built one of the strongest reputations for content-driven filmmaking in India. Gupta, whose credits include Raid, Raid 2, No One Killed Jessica, and Aamir, has carved out a signature style that blends investigative tension, moral urgency, and mainstream accessibility. His most recent release, Raid 2, landed among the top ten highest-grossing Bollywood theatrical releases of 2025, further cementing his commercial pull.

For Junglee Pictures, the partnership signals a continued commitment to ambitious storytelling with scale. Since launching with Dil Dhadakne Do, the studio has produced a steady run of acclaimed and audience-favorite titles including Badhaai Ho, Raazi, Talvar, Badhaai Do, and Bareilly Ki Barfi. Its 2025 slate—featuring Haq and the Malayalam-language Ronth—earned strong critical notices across both theatrical and streaming platforms, reinforcing Junglee’s reputation for championing films that balance cultural relevance with wide appeal.

The upcoming project, which remains untitled, has completed its scripting phase, with casting expected to begin shortly. While plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, the film is described as an intense, immersive narrative aligned with Gupta’s trademark approach—grounded realism, sharp dramatic tension, and a theatrical scale designed to connect with a broad audience.

“Junglee Pictures has always focused on backing distinctive, relatable stories with lasting cultural value,” said Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, Junglee’s parent company. “This collaboration with Raj reflects the studio’s intent to join forces with filmmakers who strengthen its slate through purposeful, impact-driven cinema. This film will be a true tentpole for Junglee—bold, impactful, and rooted in realism.”

Gupta echoed that sentiment, noting that the project represents a natural extension of his creative instincts. “I’ve always been drawn to narratives grounded in reality that also have the ability to connect with audiences on a larger canvas,” he said. “This film is conceived as a hard-hitting, immersive, engaging, and entertaining theatrical experience. Junglee Pictures’ legacy of backing thoughtful, content-led cinema makes this collaboration feel like a perfect alignment.”

Producer Myra Karn added that the pairing brings together complementary creative philosophies. “Junglee Pictures brings heart, vision, and fearless storytelling,” she said. “Their bold, innovative approach meeting Raj Kumar Gupta’s unflinching perspective creates something genuinely exciting. This collaboration is special, and I’m honored to be part of it.”

While additional story and casting details remain under embargo, this announcement alone positions the project as one of the more closely watched Indian productions on the horizon—one that blends the rigor of investigative storytelling with the muscle of a true theatrical event. For fans of grounded thrillers with something to say, this is absolutely one to keep on the radar.