Anshuman Jha takes over as director for Lakadbaggha 2
Anshuman Jha has taken over as director of Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business, succeeding Sanjay Shetty after initial filming. This decision was driven by a collaborative pursuit of creative alignment, with Shetty remaining as a consultant.
Actor-filmmaker
Anshuman Jha
has officially taken over directing duties for
Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business
, the sequel to his 2023 vigilante action film
Lakadbaggha
. The follow-up aims to expand the animal-lover vigilante universe on a global scale, with Jha now leading both in front of and behind the camera.
Originally slated to be directed by ad filmmaker Sanjay Shetty, the film saw a change in leadership after three days of principal photography. Jha stepped in as director, a move that sources close to the production say was collaborative and driven by creative alignment rather than conflict. Shetty continues to remain involved as a creative consultant.
A production insider shared, 'Anshuman told the team, 'We'll only make this once — let's make it the best it can be, regardless of who directs.' It was about clarity, not ego.' The film's 2nd AD, Aura Chandel, added that Jha has been deeply engaged with every aspect — from casting international martial artists like Sunny Pang and Dan Chupong to refining the film's VFX and tone.
Jha's personal connection to the franchise — rooted in its unique blend of action and animal welfare themes — reportedly drove the transition. The team has reshot the initial footage under his direction.
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News18
13 hours ago
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Anshuman Jha Steps Behind The Camera For Lakadbaggha 2
Last Updated: Actor Anshuman Jha will direct Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business, stepping in after a creative shift in leadership. The vigilante sequel takes the franchise global. Actor-filmmaker Anshuman Jha is set to make his directorial debut with Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business, the much-anticipated sequel to his 2023 cult action film Lakadbaggha. Known for its gritty narrative and its unique vigilante hero who fights for animal rights, the franchise is now poised to expand its universe — this time under Jha's full creative leadership. While early reports had suggested that the sequel would be helmed by adman and filmmaker Sanjay Shetty, the production took a notable turn after just three days of principal photography. In a move that echoes Aamir Khan's directorial takeover of Taare Zameen Par, Jha stepped in to direct the film himself. However, unlike the high-profile friction between Khan and Amole Gupte at the time, this transition has been described by insiders as collaborative and grounded in mutual respect. A source from the production shared, 'Anshuman told the team, 'We will only make this film once — let's make it the best it can be, regardless of who directs.' It was never about ego, but about clarity and vision on the animal lover vigilante universe." Second Assistant Director Aura Chandel offered further insight into the creative shift, stating that Jha had been hands-on from the beginning — from casting international martial arts icons like Sunny Pang and Dan Chupong to shaping the film's VFX, score, and emotional tone. 'Sanjay Sir and Anshuman share a mentor-mentee bond," she said. 'He assisted Sanjay on ad shoots when he was just 16. There's no bad blood — only a shared love for the project." The initial portions filmed under Shetty have reportedly been reshot, and the production now carries a renewed sense of focus and energy. The decision for Jha to take over the director's chair is said to have stemmed from a need for creative alignment, with those close to the project asserting that Jha is most attuned to the emotional core and thematic ethos of the franchise — which blends high-octane action with a compassionate message around animal welfare. Shetty, meanwhile, continues to support the film as a creative consultant. With this bold move, Anshuman Jha joins the ranks of actor-directors such as Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, and most recently, Dev Patel, who brought his singular vision to Monkey Man. For Jha, the transition isn't just about control behind the camera — it's about creating something meaningful and lasting. As one crew member succinctly put it: 'He's not just making a film — he's building a legacy for the voiceless." First Published: June 27, 2025, 21:09 IST
Time of India
19 hours ago
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Anshuman Jha takes over as director for Lakadbaggha 2
Anshuman Jha has taken over as director of Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business, succeeding Sanjay Shetty after initial filming. This decision was driven by a collaborative pursuit of creative alignment, with Shetty remaining as a consultant. Actor-filmmaker Anshuman Jha has officially taken over directing duties for Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business , the sequel to his 2023 vigilante action film Lakadbaggha . The follow-up aims to expand the animal-lover vigilante universe on a global scale, with Jha now leading both in front of and behind the camera. Originally slated to be directed by ad filmmaker Sanjay Shetty, the film saw a change in leadership after three days of principal photography. Jha stepped in as director, a move that sources close to the production say was collaborative and driven by creative alignment rather than conflict. Shetty continues to remain involved as a creative consultant. A production insider shared, 'Anshuman told the team, 'We'll only make this once — let's make it the best it can be, regardless of who directs.' It was about clarity, not ego.' The film's 2nd AD, Aura Chandel, added that Jha has been deeply engaged with every aspect — from casting international martial artists like Sunny Pang and Dan Chupong to refining the film's VFX and tone. Jha's personal connection to the franchise — rooted in its unique blend of action and animal welfare themes — reportedly drove the transition. The team has reshot the initial footage under his direction.
Indian Express
6 days ago
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Nature walks, storytelling: this Pune-based club encourages urban kids to embrace the outdoors
Written by Antara Kulkarni Four years ago, when Bengaluru-based Shruti Jha welcomed her daughter into the world, she began to see that young children often failed to have any meaningful interaction with nature. 'During weekends, parents usually think of either going to malls or indoor gaming zones, and these are all very over-stimulating activities for kids. I had an idea to create a culture where people choose outdoor and nature time over these,' she says. The name of her initiative is Green Panther, which opened its Pune operations in December 2024. The venture aims to connect young children, especially from urban areas, with nature through weekend activities, such as tree walks and birdwatching. The club is handled by a core team of three people, Jha, Arun Kaulige and Subodh Shah. On June 11, the group celebrated the International Day of Play in Pune with Tiny Trails, a nature walk and nature art session curated for children aged between 4 and 8 who would be accompanied by their parents. Alongside Kaulige and Shah, Jha self-funded Green Panther and has organised nature-based storytelling sessions, creating nature art, and even conducting overnight treks for parents and children every month. These activities are curated and facilitated by Green Panther's core team, and experts are brought in occasionally for the events. 'We want to make kids and families acquainted with and aware of the nature that is right around them. The core objective is about helping urban kids and families spend more time outdoors,' outlines Jha. In Mumbai, where Green Panther opened in February, events often occur at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In Pune, areas such as ARAI Tekdi and the Empress Garden have been frequented by the club's members. On average, 50 children take part in their regular weekend nature walks, and the club is open for children between the ages of 3 and 10, accompanied by their parents. Green Panther often partners with schools as well, organising events for more than 100 children at a time. There are plans to take the club's adventures to other urban cities in the future. (Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express)
