The Tanu Weds Manu franchise is set to get a new sequel soon. The third instalment is announced as Tanu Weds Manu - The Next Chapter by Eros Innovation in June 2026.
However, there may be no reunion of R Mahavan and Kangana Ranaut this time. Additionally, Mitakshara Kumar has replaced the original director Aanand L. Rai.
The new sequel raises a question about the franchise's future: will the next chapter continue the story of Tanu and Manu, or use the familiar title to introduce an entirely new romantic-comedy world?
Who Is The New Director Of Tanu Weds Manu 3?
Mitakshara Kumar has been appointed as the filmmaker for Tanu Weds Manu - The Next Chapter. She is replacing Aanand L Rai, who directed the 2011 original and its 2015 sequel.
Mitakshara Kumar has previously worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Heeramandi. She also directed the historical drama series The Empire.
Her direction of the cult franchise could change a lot in the sequel, which was romance, family dynamics and small-town characters.
Tanu Weds Manu 3 Gets A New Director And A New Cast (Image Credit: Prime Video)
R Madhavan And Kangana Ranaut May Not Return For The Sequel
According to a report by The Times of India, R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut and the original cast may not return for the sequel. The makers have officially announced a fresh cast.
In Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Kangana played Datto and Madhavan played Manu.
The supporting cast included Deepak Dobriyal, Jimmy Sheirgill and Swara Bhasker. There has been no official confirmation of their involvement in the upcoming film either.
A new cast would allow the franchise to introduce different characters and a different story.
However, the production has not confirmed any new cast information.
What Will Be The Story Of Tanu Weds Manu - The Next Chapter?
Adding "The Next Chapter" to the title suggests a new story and a different dimension. However, the makers have not announced the central characters or the plot.
The sequel to the movie followed Tanu and Manu after marriage, introducing Datto as a complication. Casting a new pair could give the third sequel a different conflict rather than revisiting the same couple again.
When Will Tanu Weds Manu - The Next Chapter Release?
Eros Innovation has not officially announced the release date of Tanu Weds Manu 3. Official confirmation on the production timeline, final cast and story is not yet.
Kangana Ranaut As Datto (Image Credit: IMDb)
Aanand L. Rai Comments On Why The Franchise Deserves A Sequel
Before the third sequel was formally announced, Aanand L Rai had spoken about the possibility of a third instalment. He also acknowledged the difficulty of finding a story that could justify the sequel.
In an interview with The Times of India, Rai was asked whether he would make Tanu Weds Manu 3. His response was direct: “It will happen only if I have a story.”
He added that the decision was based on finding a good story and had ‘nothing to do with Maddy or Kangana’.
Rai then explained that Tanu Weds Manu Returns came about because he had a compelling story to tell, rather than simply because the first film had been successful.
In another interview with Outlook India, the filmmaker described why the franchise deserved another instalment.
“Tanu Weds Manu is a kind of franchise that demands a part three,” Rai said, pointing to the characters and the performances by Madhavan and Ranaut. He added that “those characters became a little bigger than the story itself”.
Tanu Weds Manu - The Next Chapter At A Glance
| Key Aspect | Details |
| Title | Tanu Weds Manu: The Next Chapter (Tanu Weds Manu 3) |
| Lead Cast | Kangana Ranaut and R. Madhavan |
| Director | Mitakshara Kumar |
| Producers | Eros Innovation (Eros Universe) in partnership with Rudraksh Jyoti Soma Limited |
| Status | Officially announced; principal photography scheduled to begin |
| Expected Plot | Continuation of the romantic comedy franchise; speculation suggests Kangana Ranaut may take on a triple role |
Tanu Weds Manu – The Next Chapter has a new director and a fresh cast, but its story remains under wraps. But can the franchise recreate the chemistry of the original pair in the third sequel?
FAQs
Q1. Is Tanu Weds Manu 3 confirmed?
A1. Yes, Tanu Weds Manu – The Next Chapter was announced by Eros Innovation in June 2026.
Q2. Who is directing Tanu Weds Manu 3?
A2. Mitakshara Kumar, known for Heeramandi, is directing the film.
Q3. Will Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan return for Tanu Weds Manu 3?
A3. Reports suggest they are unlikely to return. The final cast has not been officially announced.