Rajkummar Rao out of the trio with Abhishek & Aparshakti? Varun Sharma joins in

This Friendship Day brought more than memes and WhatsApp forwards. It delivered a full-blown casting surprise. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain Films have announced Side Heroes, a new-age buddy comedy starring Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana and Varun Sharma. The trio, all known for their comic chops, will team up on screen for the very first time.

The film, which is set to go on floors soon, was unveiled through a cheerful first-look asset that had the boys posing with Imtiaz himself. The vibe was loud and clear. This one is all about friendships that age, drift, and somehow survive.

Side Heroes follows the story of three estranged childhood friends who reconnect at a reunion. What starts as awkward catch-ups soon spirals into revisiting old dreams, grudges, heartbreaks, and misadventures. Through that familiar chaos, they attempt to locate what happiness really means now, years after life and time did their thing.

The concept blends humour with heart, a space all three lead actors are comfortable in. Whether it is Abhishek's straight-faced absurdity, Aparshakti's gentle goofiness or Varun's over-the-top unpredictability, the casting feels like a riot waiting to happen. Their on-screen chemistry is expected to be a major hook for audiences.

Directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy and written by Siddharth Sen and Pankaj Matta, the film is being presented by Lyca Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films in association with Imtiaz Ali's Window Seat Films. Producers Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and Reeyan Shah are also on board.

Mahaveer Jain and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba shared that Side Heroes is a deeply personal story. One that speaks about life through the lens of friendships, nostalgia and unspoken bonds. With a script that balances humour with vulnerability, they believe it has the potential to connect across age groups.

Side Heroes is slated for a Friendship Day 2026 release. Until then, fans can relish the idea of three underrated funnymen taking over one frame and hopefully our hearts.