Writer Sanjay Masoom credits Vishesh Bhatt’s conviction and Emraan Hashmi’s return to his signature zone for the success of Awarapan 2. According to the writer, the legacy of Shivam, the emotional recall of the original film’s songs and Vishesh’s belief in the sequel’s story helped bring audiences back after nearly two decades. Masoom also opens up about the possibility of Jannat 3, nostalgia-driven sequels and Emraan’s future projects.

Awarapan wasn’t a Box Office success. What made Awarapan 2 a hit?

I feel that while Awarapan didn’t run at the Box Office, it left behind a legacy, and the character of Shivam played by Emraan Hashmi remained in people’s minds. His pain and emotional core. What helped it further were the songs of Awarapan, like To Phir Aao and Tera Mera Rishta. Because of those songs, Shivam’s character stayed alive in people’s memories. What it needed was a better story. Plus, Emraan Hashmi hadn’t been in his signature zone for a long time.

I’ve written several of those films like Jannat, Jannat 2, The Killer, and Raja Natwarlal. Raja Natwarlal, which I wrote, was released 10-12 years ago. So, somewhere Vishesh Bhatt and Emraan both felt that people still remember Shivam’s character, and there was confidence that the nostalgia brought by the songs would work.

What do you exactly mean by Emraan Hashmi’s signature zone?

By signature zone I mean the type of cinema he used to do. Films like Awarapan, Murder, Gangster, Jannat, Jannat 2. Those films where the music was exceptional, and Emraan played characters with grey shades as well as positive layers. We all felt we should make an attempt to revisit that space. I give credit to Vishesh and Emraan for this. Vishesh had immense conviction, and since he conceived the story for Awarapan 2, we felt it would work.

Emraan also worked extremely hard on his look, physical appearance, and intensity. Think about bringing a character back to life on screen after 19 years; so much changes in between. But he didn’t let the audience feel that 19-year gap. For any film, when there is genuine honesty in the effort, that honesty reflects on screen. Emraan put honest effort into it, and as writers, we all gave our best. I worked on the one-liners as well. That’s why the film worked.

What is the status of Jannat 3 right now?

Regarding Jannat 3, I can’t say much at this stage because I honestly don’t know where things stand right now.

Do you feel that since Emraan’s franchises and sequels are performing well, Jannat 3 should also happen?

No, it’s not like a film should happen just because sequels are working. But as I said, films in Emraan’s signature zone will 100% come out. Whether Jannat 3 comes first, or Murder, or something else, I don’t know yet. I’ll meet Vishesh next week to see what he is planning. But yes, the success of the franchise has given everyone a fresh burst of energy, so films like that will definitely happen.

Do you think nostalgia is selling more now because of its recall value?

Nostalgia has always been around, but it depends entirely on how you present it. In Awarapan 2, we brought nostalgia through the music, and that worked because songs create an emotional connection. We even integrated shots from the original Awarapan alongside the songs. Simply saying “nostalgia works” isn’t enough. If we didn’t have songs like Tera Mera Rishta or To Phir Aao, nostalgia alone wouldn’t have saved it.

Franchises from 10, 15, or 20 years ago are coming back and pulling in numbers. Doesn’t that prove it?

Like I said, it’s about execution. Take Gadar 2 for instance. Tara Singh’s character was still alive in people’s hearts. When a character remains close to the audience’s heart and you reintroduce them effectively using nostalgia, it works. But it’s not an absolute formula for guaranteed success.

Awarapan 2 released alongside Sunny Deol’s film Batawara, which unfortunately wasn’t accepted by the audience. Why do you think it wasn’t accepted, leaving Sunny and Rajkumar Santoshi so disappointed?

It’s hard to say why people didn’t turn up. The film itself was good. Raj-ji and Sunny Deol coming together after so many years, with Aamir Khan producing. Trade experts would know better why audiences stayed away.

There’s a perception that Sunny playing a Pakistani/Muslim character went against him. Your thoughts?

That could be a reason. Sunny has a specific image in people’s minds; going to Pakistan, bringing back his wife and son, that intense patriotic persona. Sunny has played Muslim roles before, so it wasn’t a first. But people might have specifically wanted to see the classic Sunny Deol persona, and when they didn’t get that.

I think the film got trapped because of the artist’s image. It was shocking for me too, because I am a huge fan of the Raj Santoshi–Sunny Deol duo (Ghayal, Ghatak, Damini). But times change. With their announcement of Ghatak 2 or similar projects, I believe they will make a strong comeback.

Looking at your filmography, what is the current status of Krrish 4?

Just because I wrote Krrish and Krrish 3 doesn’t mean I have a contract that requires me to write every Krrish film! I have no idea about Krrish 4. I heard Hrithik might direct it, but whenever he finds the time and feels ready, he will take it forward in his own way.

As a writer, how much has changed in terms of respect, remuneration, and contracts? Has the scenario improved?

A lot has changed for the better. Writers are getting more respect and recognition, and the industry now accepts that content drives success. Payments are better, and writers are getting proper credit on posters. The rise of web series and OTT platforms has expanded horizons for writers. Earlier, only stars got all the credit, and stars still do, but people now recognize the contribution of writers.

Are you working on Aashram Season 4?

I was involved up to Season 3 of Aashram. I am not involved in Season 4. I believe their shooting starts today.

Is there any anxiety or fear among writers regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Not at all. AI is actually proving to be a helpful tool for writers rather than a threat. You can brainstorm plots, explore options, and discuss ideas. AI cannot replace human emotion or write a script on its own because it lacks genuine feeling. It only responds to the prompts you give it. If someone pastes AI-generated content directly, people instantly recognize it as AI and dismiss it. But as an assistant to brainstorm or refine thoughts, it’s a great tool.

What are your upcoming projects?

Discussions are ongoing for a few projects. One film starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui is lined up for release, alongside a web series and a few other films. I’m working at a comfortable, relaxed pace these days!