Filmmaker and producer Siddharth P Malhotra is enjoying a highly successful 2026, marked by the triumph of his Netflix film *Ikka*, starring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, and the strong performance of his web show *Shaque: Trust No One* on the same platform. In an exclusive chat, Malhotra shared exciting news regarding the future of both projects.
Upcoming Sequels and Seasons Confirmed
Malhotra revealed that both *Ikka* and *Shaque* are set to return with new installments, signifying a banner year for his productions:
• Ikka 2: Following its record-breaking success earlier this year, *Ikka 2* is actively in the works.
• Shaque Season 2: The acclaimed series *Shaque* has also broken records, leading to a confirmed *Shaque Season 2*. Malhotra clarified that the second season will feature a completely new story, with writing currently underway.
From Feature Film Idea to Hit Series The journey of *Shaque* began nearly a decade ago as a feature film concept by director Rensil D’Silva. Malhotra explained, "Initially, it was a feature film. Then we worked on it and we said that let’s see if we can make it into series." Recognizing its potential, they developed it into a series, which Malhotra then successfully pitched to Netflix, where it found its current success.
Overwhelming Audience Response to Shaque Malhotra expressed immense satisfaction with the reception of *Shaque*, which maintained its number one spot even after a week of release. "In my whole career, I haven’t got so many calls for a series," he shared, highlighting widespread positive feedback from diverse audiences. The show's appeal has extended globally, ranking in the top 10 in 20-30 countries, a testament to its compelling whodunit narrative.
Navigating Social Media and Spoilers As a whodunit, *Shaque* faces the challenge of potential spoilers on social media revealing the culprit's identity. Malhotra acknowledged this, stating, "If somebody wants to reveal the climax, you can’t stop that person." However, he views continued viewership even after spoilers as a victory for the writing team, indicating strong storytelling and character engagement that transcends plot revelations.
Accommodating Parineeti Chopra During Production During the shooting of *Shaque*, lead actor Parineeti Chopra discovered she was pregnant. Malhotra emphasized the team's responsibility to ensure her comfort and safety. "It is the responsibility between Sapna (Malhotra) and me to take care of her," he stated, detailing their efforts to minimize her travel by having her stay on location, allowing her to continue shooting despite her pregnancy with full support.
A Director's Diverse Vision and Thematic Focus Siddharth P Malhotra's directorial portfolio showcases a range of subjects, including *We Are Family* (2010), *Hichki* (2018), *Tribhanga* (2021), *Maharaj* (2024), and *Ikka* (2026). He clarified that his genre choices are not a conscious effort to avoid repetition, but rather a pursuit of stories he genuinely resonates with. For Malhotra, the underlying genre remains consistent: stories of human relationships and complex situations, explored within different cinematic worlds.
Strong Collaboration with Netflix Malhotra attributes much of his recent success to a robust and collaborative partnership with Netflix, which has spanned projects like *Tribhanga*, *Maharaj*, *Ikka*, and now *Shaque*. He praised the Netflix team for their cooperative approach and hard work, emphasizing that success is always a collective effort. "Netflix has been a great collaborator and we are collaborating a lot now," he concluded.
