After waiting for years and lots of speculation, Yash Raj Films (YRF) is finally going to rev up the engines for the much-awaited fourth installment of its blockbuster franchise, Dhoom 4. The action franchise that began with Dhoom in 2004 and continued with successive hits of Dhoom 2 (2006) and Dhoom 3 (2013) is now returning in high-octane mode, this time with Ranbir Kapoor as the leading man.
4 will start shooting in April 2026 and has a 2027 release date in its sights. The franchise that made us all go weak in the knees with its cool anti-heroes, high-octane races, and iconic motorbikes is being revamped with a new look and narrative brief, one aimed at world action norms. This ambitious turnaround is personally being overseen by YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra, who is said to be deeply invested in forging a new vision for the original show.
Ranbir Kapoor: The New Face of Dhoom
Taking the franchise forward, Ranbir Kapoor will be stepping into the spotlight not as the traditional hero but as the stylish anti-hero in line with the legacy of John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan, and Aamir Khan. “Ranbir is the apt choice for Dhoom 4, and the character is also designed keeping his aura and personality in mind,” a source revealed. The script is being tailored around Kapoor’s charm and screen presence, promising a role that blends intensity, charisma, and complexity.
Currently, Kapoor is busy shooting for Love & War, a period romance directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, where he shares screen space with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Speaking about the film, Ranbir noted, “Love & War is something that is every actor’s dream—to work with brilliant actors like Alia and Vicky and to be directed by the master Sanjay Leela Bhansali.” Once he wraps up Love & War, Ranbir will move on to Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana and finally dive into Dhoom 4 by mid-2026.
Ayan Mukerji to Direct the Reboot
Another thrilling development is the return of Ayan Mukerji, who will likely direct Dhoom 4. Mukerji, best known as the director of Brahmastra and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, has a distinctive storytelling sensibility that is likely to bring emotional depth to the franchise’s traditionally action-oriented format. The director is already in the last phase of post-production for War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani, with a scheduled release date of August 14, 2025. Post-release, Ayan is likely to dive into the pre-production of Dhoom 4.
Aditya Chopra has partnered with esteemed screenwriter Shridhar Raghavan, also known for formulating stories in the YRF Spy Universe, to create an engaging narrative for Dhoom 4. Sources indicate that the script continues to be worked out but is set to live up to the Dhoom franchise’s legacy while rebooting it for current times. “They are currently working on the story draft that’s worthy of the hype around the reboot,” said a source close to the project.
A Fresh Take with Global Action Standards
Dhoom 4 is being designed not as a direct sequel but as a reboot, which means fans can expect a departure from the familiar tone of the previous installments. The visual presentation, scale, and action choreography are reportedly being developed with global standards in mind. Unlike the YRF Spy Universe, Dhoom 4 will maintain a distinct identity, with its own universe of adrenaline, speed, and style.