The much‑anticipated third instalment of the Ragini MMS franchise, Ragini MMS 3, starring Tamannaah Bhatia, has reportedly been put on hold indefinitely due to the sudden exit of director Sahir Raza. Industry reports indicate that overlapping commitments arising from his role as a showrunner on a Netflix series forced the filmmakers to part ways with him, leaving the horror project in limbo.

The film is produced by Ektaa Kapoor under her Balaji Motion Pictures banner and had generated significant buzz, particularly due to its attempt to inject fresh energy into the established franchise by casting Bhatia in the lead role. However, with Raza’s departure now confirmed, the project’s production timeline has become uncertain, and there is no clear indication of when filming will begin.

Director Departure and Production Roadblock

According to insiders, Sahir Raza was originally attached to helm the third chapter of the franchise but was removed from the project when scheduling conflicts with his Netflix series became insurmountable. A mandate reportedly from the streaming platform required his daily presence on set, leading to an unavoidable clash with Ragini MMS 3’s planned shoot schedule. As a result, the producers have had to pause progress while they search for a replacement director, a process that has yet to yield a new appointment.

The delay represents a significant setback for the franchise, which had been expected to evolve the horror series into a fresh narrative with a stronger supernatural focus. Prior reports had suggested that the sequel would depart from the purely erotic horror roots of earlier instalments and explore atmospheric scares, a change anticipated by fans and critics alike. But with no shooting start date in sight, that creative ambition now hangs in the balance.

Tamannaah’s Busy Work Slate

While Ragini MMS 3 remains on ice, Tamannaah Bhatia’s work schedule continues to be packed with other high‑profile films. She is set to appear in O’ Romeo, an action thriller starring Shahid Kapoor and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, which is slated to release on February 13, 2026. This project has already drawn attention for its star cast and intense genre.

In addition, Bhatia is reportedly involved in V. Shantaram, where she plays Jayashree, the second wife of the legendary filmmaker. The film stars Siddhant Chaturvedi alongside her and is expected to attract critical interest due to its historical subject matter. Bhatia also stars in Vvan, a folklore‑based thriller set against the backdrop of central India’s forests, co‑starring Sidharth Malhotra, with a planned release later in 2026.

Franchise’s Future Uncertain

The original Ragini MMS film launched in 2011 as a found‑footage style horror thriller, followed by Ragini MMS 2 in 2014, which built on the franchise’s blend of scares and bold content. Despite that legacy, the third iteration’s delay underscores the challenges Bollywood faces in balancing ambitious productions with talent and scheduling logistics.

For now, Ragini MMS 3 remains paused, with fans eagerly awaiting news on a replacement director and a confirmed start date. Both the production house and Bhatia herself have yet to issue official statements regarding the development, leaving the project’s future open to speculation.

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