Vir Das, who has been active in the film industry for nearly 19 years now, is all set to make his directorial debut with Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Jasoos, a crime comedy that’s slated to release theatrically on January 16, 2026. Produced by Aamir Khan, the film also marks a comeback for Imran Khan who will be seen in a special appearance in the film. Imran and Vir had earlier worked together in the 2011 runaway hit Delhi Belly. Speaking about their latest collaboration, Vir Das recently opened up about how the reunion happened through sheer coincidence.
Recalling the moment, Vir said, “One day, I got a text from Imran. He doesn’t even use WhatsApp. The message said, ‘Hey, I hear the movie is shaping up nicely. Can I come and do something fun in the film?’” The message, according to Vir, came as a pleasant surprise, especially considering Imran’s selective approach to projects and his general distance from the spotlight in recent years.
What followed, Vir further recalled, was a collaborative process driven by instinct and trust. Vir said, “After Imran reached out to me, I went back and incorporated him into the script of Happy Patel. I told him, 'Give me some time — I’ll craft a character for you that is entertaining and wild, and we need to do something you’ve never attempted before.'"
The official trailer of Happy Patel was unveiled in December, and made a mark with its wacky, irreverent humour. Bankrolled under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Happy Patel also stars Mona Singh, Sharib Hashmi and Mithila Palkar in pivotal roles. Aamir too will be seen in a special appearance.
Vir Das’ last major role in a fictional project was in the 2024 web series Call Me Bae, led by Ananya Panday.