7 Reasons Why Harshvardhan Rane Joining Force 3 Is The Biggest Action Update Of 2026!

Force 3 Filming Begins in Gujarat: John Abraham Harshvardhan Rane and Tanya Maniktala Cast Details Revealed.

Today is Saturday, March 7, 2026, and if you are waking up in Ahmedabad or Surat, you might just bump into some serious Bollywood muscle.

Yesterday, on Friday, March 6, actor Harshvardhan Rane officially kickstarted the first shooting schedule of the high-octane action thriller Force 3 in the heart of Gujarat. Clad in a simple white outfit, Rane shared a video of a traditional muhurat pooja ceremony, seeking divine blessings before diving into what is being called a “new chapter” for the legendary franchise.

While John Abraham remains the face of the series as ACP Yashvardhan Singh, a leaked set photo recently went viral, showing Rane and actress Tanya Maniktala alongside John and director Bhav Dhulia. This isn’t just a sequel; it is a total reimagining of the “desi” action that made the 2011 original a cult classic, and the buzz on the ground in Gujarat is that the scale this time is absolutely massive.

The Force franchise has always been about raw, grounded power. Since the first film directed by Nishikant Kamat introduced us to the bone-crunching rivalry between John and Vidyut Jammwal, fans have craved that specific brand of “real” action. After a more stylized second installment in 2016, John Abraham reportedly reacquired the rights to the franchise himself to ensure Force 3 stays true to his original vision. By bringing in Bhav Dhulia—the director who won everyone over with the realistic grit of Khakee: The Bihar Chapter—John is signaling a shift away from flashy VFX and back to the “dirt and sweat” style of filmmaking. For Harshvardhan Rane, this is a “full circle” moment.

He has often called John his mentor, and joining this universe feels like a passing of the torch or, at the very least, a massive expansion of the team.

But let’s look at the reality of the situation. Is the audience ready for a Force movie that doesn’t just rely on John Abraham’s shoulders?

There is a growing observation that while fans love the nostalgia of the old ACP Yashvardhan, they are even more curious about the “new blood” Rane brings to the table. Some insiders are even whispering that Rane might be playing a morally grey character—a National Control Bureau (NCB) cop whose methods are as brutal as the criminals he hunts.

This leads to a direct question: In a world of over-the-top superhero movies, can a “desi” cop drama still pull the numbers without a traditional hero-villain dynamic?

Why the Harshvardhan-John Pair Is Breaking the Internet

The chemistry between these two isn’t just for the cameras. Rane has publicly expressed his deep gratitude to John, calling him an “angel of a man” who guided him when he first moved to Mumbai. This mentor-mentee bond is being woven directly into the fabric of the film.

1. The Realistic Action Reboot

Director Bhav Dhulia is moving away from stylized stunts. He wants the fights to feel heavy and painful, similar to the 2011 original. Expect more hand-to-hand combat and less slow-motion wirework.

2. Harshvardhan’s “Nemesis” Rumors

While he is a “lead,” some reports suggest Rane plays John’s nemesis—a cop with a twist. This “grey” role is expected to be one of the film’s biggest draws, offering a face-off that could rival the iconic John-Vidyut clash.

3. The Tanya Maniktala Factor

Known for A Suitable Boy and Kill, Tanya is not playing a typical “flowerpot” role. Insiders say her character is a significant departure from traditional female leads in action movies, adding both glamor and grit to the Gujarat schedule.

4. Gujarat’s Cinematic Landscapes

The first schedule is currently unfolding across scenic and rugged locations in Gujarat. The state’s unique terrain is being used to ground the story in a very specific, local Indian context.

5. John Abraham’s Creative Control

By buying back the rights, John has taken total charge of the script and production. This ensures that Force 3 isn’t just a corporate product but a passion project for the man who started it all.

6. Rane’s Box Office Momentum

Harshvardhan is coming off the massive success of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which crossed the Rs. 100 crore mark in 2025. He is officially a “bankable” action star now, making his entry into Force a strategic masterstroke.

7. A Fresh Script by Simaab Hashmi

The story, written by Simaab Hashmi, reportedly focuses on a “desi” conflict that stays away from international espionage and keeps the stakes personal and high.

A New Legacy in the Making

The journey to this first day of shooting in Gujarat has been a long one. John Abraham has been quietly developing this script for over two years, waiting for the perfect time to revive ACP Yashvardhan. According to Bollywood Hungama, Rane has reportedly signed on for a significant fee of approximately Rs. 15 crore, proving how much the producers believe in his draw. The film is expected to wrap up its major schedules by late 2026, aiming for a release in the first half of 2027.

As we look forward, the transition of the Force franchise will be the most interesting thing to watch. Will it remain John’s vehicle, or will it become an ensemble “cop-verse” with Harshvardhan Rane leading the charge in future parts? The Gujarat schedule is just the beginning. With Bhav Dhulia at the helm and a cast that actually knows how to throw a punch, Force 3 looks like it is ready to reclaim the crown of Indian action cinema.

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Honestly, I am hyped! John Abraham taking back the rights means he cares about the soul of this franchise. And adding Harshvardhan Rane? That is a genius move. Harsh has that raw, intense look that fits perfectly in the Force world. I’m hearing the action in Gujarat is going to be very “raw and real,” which is exactly what we need right now. It is high time we got a solid, grounded cop thriller that doesn’t feel like a cartoon. Watch out, because this duo is going to set the screen on fire!

Original Source: First reported by IANS and confirmed via Harshvardhan Rane’s official Instagram pooja video on March 6, 2026.

Question For You: Do you think Harshvardhan Rane has what it takes to eventually take over the Force franchise from John Abraham? Let me know in the comments!