Priyadarshan, Riteish Deshmukh exit Malamaal Weekly 2 The much-awaited sequel to the 2006 comedy Malamaal Weekly is taking shape, but it will not see the return of its original director, Priyadarshan or lead actor Riteish Deshmukh. Priyadarshan has confirmed that he is not associated with the project, revealing that he has decided against directing any sequels. Meanwhile, the makers are moving ahead with the comedy sequel under a new director. The upcoming instalment is expected to feature a fresh storyline while retaining the small-town backdrop, financial temptations and comic misunderstandings that made the original film popular. The casting has reportedly been finalised, with an official announcement expected soon. The sequel to the 2006 comedy Malamaal Weekly is moving forward, but it will not see the return of the original film's director, Priyadarshan. The filmmaker has confirmed that he is not associated with the upcoming instalment and has decided against directing any sequels. In a conversation with Variety India, Priyadarshan categorically ruled out his involvement in the project. When asked about the sequel, he said, "I am not doing it. I have decided not to do any sequel." The filmmaker reiterated that he would not be returning to take the popular comedy franchise forward. His decision means the upcoming film will have a different creative team at the helm. Apart from Priyadarshan, lead actor Riteish Deshmukh is also not expected to return for the sequel. The actor was an important part of the original film, which featured an ensemble cast and became a commercial success. With both the original director and one of its leading actors not returning, the sequel is set to take a different direction. The makers are reportedly putting together a new cast for the upcoming comedy. With Priyadarshan deciding not to return, the makers have found a new filmmaker to helm the sequel. Amit Joshi, who co-directed Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon's Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, has reportedly been roped in to direct the comic caper. Joshi's association with the project marks a fresh creative direction for the franchise. The sequel is expected to have a new storyline while retaining the small-town setting, financial temptations and comic misunderstandings that were central to the original film. Giving an update on the film's casting, a source told Variety India, "The casting has been finalized, and the team will announce it shortly." The makers are expected to share further details about the cast in the coming days. Released in 2006, Malamaal Weekly was a comedy written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film featured an ensemble cast comprising Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Riteish Deshmukh, Arbaaz Khan, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani. The story revolved around Lilaram, a lottery ticket seller in a small village, who discovers that one of his customers has won a lottery but has died before claiming the prize. Seeing an opportunity to claim the money, Lilaram finds himself caught in a series of lies and increasingly hilarious situations as other villagers become interested in the winning ticket. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film emerged as a commercial success at the box office. Its combination of situational comedy, greed, unexpected twists and memorable performances made it a popular entertainer. Meanwhile, the original Malamaal Weekly was based on the 1998 comedy Waking Ned. The film's premise and comic situations also inspired adaptations in several Indian languages. It was remade in Telugu as Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw in 2006 and later adapted into Kannada as Dakota Picture in 2012. The Malayalam version, titled Aamayum Muyalum, arrived in 2014 and was also directed by Priyadarshan. Senior Copy Editor at Times Now, previously associated with OTTplay and Pinkvilla. Experienced in shaping compelling stories, refining content, and de... View More