Priyanka Chopra Jonas is revisiting the Marathi film that started her journey as a producer. Ventilator 2 will be directed by Rajesh Mapuskar, with the cast and storyline currently under wraps.
Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra Jonas is bringing back a special chapter from her film production journey! The global star has officially announced Ventilator 2, a sequel to her acclaimed 2016 Marathi film Ventilator. And this time, she is reuniting with filmmaker Rajesh Mapuskar, who will return as both the writer and director of the upcoming project.
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Scheduled to release in 2027, the sequel marks a significant milestone for Priyanka’s production banner, Purple Pebble Pictures, which is completing 10 years in the entertainment industry. Interestingly, instead of announcing an entirely new project to celebrate the milestone, Priyanka has chosen to revisit one of the films that helped establish her identity as a producer.
The announcement has already generated curiosity among Marathi cinema enthusiasts, particularly because the original film was not a conventional commercial entertainer. It was a family drama that combined humour, emotional conflicts and a deeply relatable subject.
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Now, the big question is whether Ventilator 2 can recreate the emotional magic of its predecessor or surprise audiences with an entirely new chapter.
Priyanka Chopra Announces Ventilator 2, Shares Emotional Note
Priyanka took to Instagram to announce the sequel, reflecting on the vision behind Purple Pebble Pictures and the importance of meaningful storytelling in her production journey.
Sharing her excitement, the actress wrote, “10 years ago, with @purplepebblepictures, I decided I want to tell stories that mean something. Ventilator was one of those very important stories to us at the company. A decade later, we’re coming back to it, with so much more…”
Her statement makes it clear that Ventilator is more than just another film in her production house’s catalogue. It represents the kind of cinema she wanted to support when she stepped into film production.
For Priyanka, who has successfully established herself in both Indian and international entertainment industries, revisiting the project also sends a message about her continued interest in stories rooted in Indian culture and regional filmmaking.
However, the makers are keeping the sequel’s actual storyline under wraps. The casting details, shooting schedule and other production developments have not yet been officially revealed.
Rajesh Mapuskar Returns as Writer and Director
One of the most interesting aspects of Ventilator 2 is the return of Rajesh Mapuskar.
The filmmaker directed the original 2016 film and received widespread recognition for his storytelling. His return as both writer and director is particularly important because the original movie’s success was closely associated with its sensitive handling of family relationships, emotional conflicts and humour.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Dr Madhu Chopra and Rajesh Mapuskar will produce the sequel under Purple Pebble Pictures and Magij Pictures.
This reunion also creates an opportunity to retain the storytelling sensibility that made the first instalment special.
Rather than bringing in an entirely new creative team, the makers have chosen to bring back the filmmaker who understands the original film’s world and emotional foundation.
Whether the sequel follows the same family or introduces a fresh set of characters remains unknown.
What Made the Original Ventilator So Special?
Released in 2016, Ventilator revolved around the Kamerkar family, whose members gather at a hospital after an elderly relative, Gajanan, is placed on a ventilator shortly before Ganesh Chaturthi.
What initially appears to be a family gathering during a difficult medical situation gradually becomes an exploration of complicated relationships.
As relatives come together, old disagreements, generational differences, unresolved tensions and personal insecurities begin to surface.
The film beautifully balanced humour with emotional moments, showing how a family crisis can bring people together while simultaneously exposing the cracks in relationships.
The ensemble cast featured Ashutosh Gowariker, Jitendra Joshi, Sulabha Arya, Viju Khote, Satish Alekar and Achyut Potdar, among others. Priyanka Chopra also made a special appearance.
What made the film particularly memorable was its ability to find humour in everyday family behaviour without losing sight of the emotional weight of its central subject.
Unlike many mainstream films that depend on extravagant production values, Ventilator relied on its characters, performances and relatable storytelling.
The result was a film that connected with audiences and received significant critical recognition.
Ventilator Won Three National Film Awards
The original film was not just appreciated by audiences but also received major recognition at the National Film Awards.
Ventilator won three National Film Awards:
- Best Director: Rajesh Mapuskar
- Best Editing: Rameshwar S. Bhagat
- Best Sound Mixing: Alok De and Mandar Kamlapure
The recognition established the film as an important achievement in Marathi cinema and strengthened Rajesh Mapuskar’s position as a filmmaker capable of handling emotionally layered stories.
For Purple Pebble Pictures, the film also became an important early success.
This makes the sequel particularly interesting because it will be arriving with an established legacy rather than starting from scratch.
Purple Pebble Pictures Completes 10 Years: Priyanka’s Production Journey
While Priyanka Chopra is widely recognised for her acting career, her journey as a producer deserves equal attention.
Through Purple Pebble Pictures, she has supported films across different languages, genres and storytelling styles.
The production banner’s filmography includes Pahuna: The Little Visitors, Firebrand, Paani, The Sky Is Pink, The White Tiger, To Kill a Tiger, Anuja and Ventilator.
These projects reflect a production philosophy that goes beyond conventional commercial cinema.
Some of the films have explored regional cultures and social issues, while others have found audiences through international platforms and recognition.
The Sky Is Pink, for instance, explored the emotional journey of a family dealing with a serious medical condition, while The White Tiger brought an Indian story to a global audience.
Documentary projects such as To Kill a Tiger and Anuja have also demonstrated the banner’s interest in stories that extend beyond mainstream entertainment.
With Ventilator 2, Priyanka is returning to the film that holds a special place in this journey.
Can Ventilator 2 Match the Emotional Impact of the Original?
Sequels often come with a unique challenge. When the original film has already established an emotional connection with audiences, expectations automatically become higher.
In the case of Ventilator 2, the makers have an additional responsibility because the first film received three National Film Awards.
The biggest challenge will be finding a story that feels fresh without losing the original film’s identity.
If the sequel simply attempts to repeat the same family drama, it risks feeling unnecessary. However, exploring how family relationships, responsibilities and generational conflicts have evolved over the past decade could offer an interesting direction.
The passage of time itself provides several storytelling possibilities.
Family structures have changed, technology has transformed communication and relationships, and the expectations of younger generations are increasingly different from those of their parents.
A film exploring these changes through the emotional and humorous lens of the original could find considerable audience interest.
That said, these are possibilities rather than confirmed details. The makers have not revealed whether the sequel will continue the Kamerkar family’s story or introduce a completely different narrative.
Will Priyanka Chopra Return in Front of the Camera?
Another question that fans are likely to ask is whether Priyanka Chopra will make an appearance in Ventilator 2.
The actress had a special appearance in the original film, but her involvement in the sequel has currently been announced in a production capacity.
There is no official confirmation about her returning as an actor.
The same applies to the original film’s ensemble cast. Whether Ashutosh Gowariker, Jitendra Joshi or other familiar faces will return remains to be seen.
Given the emotional connection audiences developed with the original characters, the return of some familiar actors could certainly generate additional excitement.
However, the makers may also choose a completely different ensemble to give the sequel its own identity.
Ventilator 2: What Happens Next?
With a 2027 theatrical release planned, Ventilator 2 now becomes an important upcoming project for Purple Pebble Pictures.
The next major announcements audiences will be watching for include the cast, storyline, shooting schedule and first-look material.
For Priyanka, the project represents a return to her production roots at a time when she continues to maintain an international entertainment career.
For Rajesh Mapuskar, it is an opportunity to revisit a film that earned him national recognition and demonstrate that the emotional appeal of the original can translate into another compelling cinematic experience.
And for Marathi cinema, the return of a National Award-winning film franchise backed by a globally recognised Indian star could bring renewed attention to regional storytelling.
The Bottom Line: Ten years after Ventilator introduced audiences to one of Marathi cinema’s most memorable family dramas, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is ready to reopen that chapter. With Rajesh Mapuskar returning as writer and director, expectations are already building. But the real excitement will begin when the makers reveal whether the Kamerkar family is returning or an entirely new family is about to take centre stage. One thing is certain: Ventilator 2 has a legacy to live up to!
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