Actor Gajraj Rao, reprising his role as Banwari Jha in 'Dupahiya' Season 2, has spoken warmly about returning to the fictional village of Dhadakpur, ahead of the series' premiere on Prime Video on 1 October 2026. The actor says the new season doubles down on the chaos and heart that made the first run a fan favourite.

Gajraj Rao on What Makes Dhadakpur Special

'Dupahiya has been one of my favourite projects,' said Gajraj Rao. 'What makes the series special is that while the story is set in a small, rooted village, the characters, their relationships and their everyday struggles feel familiar to everyone, whether you are living in a small city, big metro or outside India. Season two promises more chaos, more surprises and, of course, the same warmth and humour that audiences connected with in the first season. I can't wait for everyone to return to Dhadakpur on October 1.'

Directed by Sonam Nair, the new season picks up directly from where the first left off. Bhugol, played by Sparsh Shrivastava, may have found fame — but that recognition has come at a cost. Meanwhile, Banwari and his family brace for fresh upheaval in a village once celebrated as India's only crime-free settlement.

Cast Reactions: Old Faces, New Stakes

Renuka Shahane, who plays Pushplata, said the series' ability to mine comedy from ordinary moments is what drew her back. 'Season two raises the stakes with fresh challenges, but the beating heart of Dhadakpur — its people and their madness — remains very much intact,' she said.

Shivani Raghuvanshi, returning as Roshni, described the experience as 'incredibly comforting' and noted that her character, carefree and impulsive by nature, reveals unexpected depth this season. 'What surprised me most this season was discovering how much more there was to her,' she said.

Bhuvan Arora, reprising his role as Amavas, noted that the character has matured in ways even he did not anticipate. 'The twists this time caught me off guard too,' he said. Sparsh Shrivastava described playing Bhugol as one of the most fulfilling experiences of his career, citing the character's hidden contradictions as the central creative challenge.

Director Sonam Nair on the Creative Journey

Director Sonam Nair said the audience response to the first season was a driving motivation for the second. 'The love our audiences have shown for season one and the fandom built around it have been incredibly encouraging,' she said, adding that Prime Video's support for 'fresh, authentic, and distinctive stories' had made the collaboration especially fulfilling.

Crew and Premiere Details

'Dupahiya' Season 2 is created and produced by Salona Bains Joshi and Shubh Shivdasani under the banner of Bombay Film Cartel LLP. The series is written by Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg. Joining the returning ensemble — which includes Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Sparsh Shrivastava, Bhuvan Arora, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Yashpal Sharma — is Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua. The season premieres on 1 October 2026 on Prime Video.