Anil Sharma announces four-part film Arjun Naga set in 1960s Dubai

Filmmaker Anil Sharma is taking multi-part movie franchises to a new level by planning his upcoming project, Arjun Naga, as a four-part saga. While recent Bollywood trends have seen films like Dhurandhar split into two parts and Ramayana planned as a two-part release from the start, this new period drama will span four separate instalments.

Story and Setting

The film is set against the backdrop of Dubai's oil boom in the 1960s, capturing the period around the discovery of oil in the Fateh field in 1966. The plot starts when Dubai was a small fishing and trading center with dusty roads and simple homes, following how an oil exploration concession was given to the Continental Oil Company in 1963. The story tracks fictional characters whose fortunes change with the oil rush, including the lead character played by Utkarsh Sharma, who rises from extreme poverty to become one of the richest men in Dubai.

Cast and Production

Anil Sharma confirmed that the project will feature 10 to 12 top actors in key roles across the parts, and the title will change with each instalment. Utkarsh Sharma plays the lead role, while Arjun Rampal has been signed as the villain. Randeep Hooda and Celina Jaitly have also joined the period drama. Himesh Reshammiya is set to compose the music. Shooting will take place in Mumbai, Rajasthan, other parts of India, Dubai, and other international cities.

Context

Multi-part movie franchises have become increasingly common in Indian cinema as directors look to tell larger, more expansive stories across extended runtimes. Period dramas focusing on historical economic transformations often use personal underdog stories to make large-scale changes relatable to audiences.