The potential for a sequel to the 2024 hit film Crew, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon, is generating buzz in Bollywood. The film, a heist comedy directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, revolved around three air hostesses caught in a gold smuggling operation. Produced by Ekta Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, Crew was a commercial success, grossing over ₹157.08 crore (US$19 million) worldwide against a budget of ₹75 crore.
Rumors of a sequel have been circulating, with reports suggesting that Kareena Kapoor Khan is likely to reprise her role. According to Pinkvilla, a source close to the project stated that "Crew has strong potential to evolve into a franchise". The team has reportedly explored several ideas and settled on one that lends itself to a sequel.
While Kareena Kapoor has reportedly expressed keen interest in returning and is awaiting the full screenplay, the casting of the other lead roles remains uncertain. It is unclear whether Kriti Sanon and Tabu will also return for the second installment. Some reports suggest that the makers are considering casting new A-list actresses if the original stars do not return.
In a statement to BT, the production house, Anil Kapoor Film and Communication Network (AKFCN), addressed the rumors, stating that any news about the next chapter, including where the world of Crew goes from here, will be shared when the time and stories are ready.
Crew received mostly positive reviews upon its release, with praise for the chemistry between the three leading ladies—Kareena, Tabu, and Kriti. The film's refreshing take on women standing their ground and using their minds in a fun way was also appreciated. The movie is noted to be a parody of Vijay Mallya owned Kingfisher Airlines, which closed down due to bankruptcy and non-payment of dues and salaries to employees.
Kareena Kapoor herself has previously expressed interest in a sequel, stating that Crew is one film that deserves a follow-up. She believes the film's refreshing take on women empowerment, delivered in an entertaining way, contributed to its success.
Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor is also engaged with other projects, including Daayra, a crime-drama thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar, where she stars opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran. She is also in talks for multiple other projects, and there are early discussions about a sequel to Veere Di Wedding.
The original Crew achieved significant box office success, earning ₹10.28 crore (US$1.2 million) on its opening day in India and ₹20.07 crore (US$2.4 million) globally, marking the highest opening day gross for a Hindi female-led film worldwide. In its opening weekend at the US box office, Crew collected $1.4 million, securing the ninth slot in Comscore's list of top-scoring movies. The film's success has been described as a "plus" affair, making it a clean hit.
