Martial arts sensation Sunny Pang is poised to make his debut in Indian cinema with Anshuman Jha's upcoming action thriller, "Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business." The film is a sequel to the 2023 film "Lakadbaggha," which introduced audiences to Arjun Bakshi, an animal lover and martial arts trainer who moonlights as a vigilante fighting against illegal animal trading.
Sunny Pang, a Chinese martial arts star, has gained international recognition for his roles in action films, including his recent appearance alongside Tom Hardy in "Havoc." He is also known for playing the antagonist in Netflix's "Headshot," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. Pang's entry into Bollywood with "Lakadbaggha 2" is highly anticipated, promising a high-octane action spectacle.
In "Lakadbaggha 2," Pang and Anshuman Jha will engage in an intense hand-to-hand combat. Both actors underwent rigorous training in Bangkok with Kecha Kamphakdee and Jaika Stunts, the action team behind the franchise. The film's action sequences are expected to be raw, real, and grounded in martial arts.
Anshuman Jha expressed his excitement about working with Sunny Pang, stating that he admired Pang's work in "Headshot". He added that having Pang in "Lakadbaggha 2" is not just a casting win but a statement, emphasizing that the sequel will be bigger, bolder, and more brutal for Indian action films.
Sunny Pang shared his experience of working on an Indian film for the first time, praising the respect and passion he has encountered. He noted that "Lakadbaggha 2" is not just another action film but a story with soul and a fight with purpose, championing animal rights, which gives every punch and kick a deeper meaning.
"Lakadbaggha," the first film in the series, was directed by Victor Mukherjee and released on January 13, 2023. The film stars Anshuman Jha, Riddhi Dogra, Paresh Pahuja, and Milind Soman. It tells the story of Arjun Bakshi, who discovers an illegal animal trade operation in Kolkata while searching for his missing dog. The film received recognition at several international film festivals, including the Kolkata International Film Festival and the HBO South Asian International Film Festival, where Anshuman Jha won the Best Actor award.
"Lakadbaggha 2 - The Monkey Business" is directed by ad filmmaker Sanjay Shetty, who is also a Krav-Maga World title holder. The film also stars Tony Jaa and Dan Chupong, with filming taking place in Southeast Asia, specifically Kolkata and West Java in Indonesia.
Anshuman Jha completed shooting for "Lakadbaggha 2" in November 2024, expressing gratitude to the cast and crew. The film is expected to be released in 2025.
