Ayan To Direct War 2, Brahmastra 2, 3!

Ayan Mukerji is on board to direct the sequel to the Hrithik Roshan starrer War, part of Yash Raj Films's ambitious Spy Universe, say industry insiders.

Though there is no official announcement, the 39-year-old Brahmastra director also hinted as much in an Instagram post on Tuesday:

'The Universe has presented me with a very special opportunity recently a very special movie to step into and direct! What the movie is... More on that when the time is right.

'An opportunity that challenges me and terribly excites me... one where I will learn, be inspired and where I will grow! So, I have decided to take it up,' Mukerji said.

Conceptualised by YRF Chairman Aditya Chopra, the YRF Spy Universe brings three franchises headlined by leading stars -- Salman Khan's Tiger movies, Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan and Roshan's War -- under one umbrella.

The studio's recent blockbuster Pathaan marked the beginning with a cameo by Salman as Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger. It also had plenty of references to Roshan's War character, Kabir Dhaliwal.

"Aditya Chopra is choosing the captain of the ship for each YRF Spy Universe film strategically. Ayan has delivered big hits which appeals to all audience segments and has the pulse of Indian audiences. He has shown that he knows how to mount a film with a huge scale, which is essential for someone to direct War 2," said an industry insider.

"Plus, he is a young film-maker who can bring a different kind of newness to the Spy Universe. Ayan will have his unique take on how to make an epic action spectacle with War 2. Aditya Chopra trusts him to take the franchise forward," he added.

Besides War 2, Mukerji is also working on the two-part follow-up to his 2022 hit Brahmastra Part One: Shiva, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. His earlier films include Wake Up Sid and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

Ayan took to social media to confirm plans for a Part 2 and 3, both of which will be shot simultaneously.

'The Time has come - for some updates on the Brahmastra Trilogy, the Astraverse, and my Life!

'After absorbing all the love and the feedback on Part One... I have been focused on creating the Vision for Part Two and Part Three -- which I now know will be bigger and more ambitious than Part One!

'I have learnt that we need a little more time to perfect the script of Brahmastra Two and Three!

'And...

'I have decided that we are going to make the two films... Together!

'Allowing them to also release closer together!

'I have a timeline in place to achieve this, which I am sharing with you all today!

'I also have another piece of news to share...

'The Universe has presented me with a very special opportunity recently -- a very special movie -- to step into and direct!

'What the movie is... More on that when the time is right :)

'An opportunity that challenges me and terribly excites me... one where I will learn, be inspired and where I will grow!

'So, I have decided to take it up!!

'Opening myself up to all the positive energies in this universe so I can do my best and contribute to that one thing that matters most to me -- Indian Cinema!

'Love and Light,

Ayan.'

The first part starred Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

While Deepika Padukone is rumoured to be a part of Part 2, the male lead has not been decided yet.