Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi Repeat: Tharun Bhascker Opens Up About Sushanth’s Exit

Director Tharun Bhascker’s cult buddy comedy Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi is all set to return with its much-awaited sequel, ENE Repeat. The film has already generated strong buzz, especially after producer Srujan Yarabolu revealed that the sequel will feature extensive VFX work along with several surprises for fans.

However, one major update that caught everyone’s attention is that actor Sushanth, who played Karthik in the first installment, will not be part of ENE Repeat. Addressing this, Tharun Bhascker spoke candidly about the emotional impact of Sushanth’s absence.

“The first time I heard that Sushanth couldn’t be part of the project due to personal reasons, it broke me,” Tharun shared. “I needed time to step back, reanalyse the script, and question whether it would ever feel the same again. That’s when I realised these characters exist all around me. The ENE universe is inspired by my own friendships, and that authenticity is its soul.”

He further clarified that the sequel is not driven by commercial pressure. “ENE 2 doesn’t come from a place of trying to milk a cash cow. If that were the case, I could have made it years ago. This film happened organically, when the story truly came to me. Sushanth may not be part of this journey, but Karthik as a character still is,” he added.

As of now, it remains unclear who will step into the role of Karthik. Meanwhile, Vishwak Sen, Abhinav Gomatam, and Venkatesh Kakumanu are confirmed to reprise their roles from the original film.

ENE Repeat is being co-produced by Suresh Productions, with Vivek Sagar returning as the music composer. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in the second half of 2026.

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