The announcement marks a significant career milestone for Bedi, who recently became a fan favorite for his portrayal of the conniving yet humorous politician and spy, Jameel Jamali.
The Poster: A Gritty Survival Teaser
The first look of NH404 suggests a high-stakes thriller, a stark contrast to the slick, high-tech world of Dhurandhar:
The Visual: The poster features a muddy, disheveled Rakesh Bedi lying on the ground as a massive road roller advances toward him.
The Tagline: The actor shared the poster with a quirky caption: "Agar road roller dekho, toh left aur right dekh kar road cross karo!" (If you see a road roller, look left and right before crossing!)
Fan Reactions: Fans have flooded the comments with inside jokes from Dhurandhar, calling the film a "Jameel Jamali sidequest" and referencing the famous "Mera bacha hai tu" dialogue.
The Creative Team
While plot details are being kept under wraps, the talent behind the camera is top-tier:
The Director: The film is being helmed by Suresh Triveni, the acclaimed director known for Tumhari Sulu and the gritty thriller Jalsa.
The Shift: After playing the "puppet master" Jameel Jamali who pulls the strings from the shadows, Bedi’s role in NH404 appears to be that of a man caught in a desperate, physical struggle for survival.
'NH404' (2026) Snapshot
Feature Details Lead Actor Rakesh Bedi Director Suresh Triveni Title Significance Likely refers to a fictional or specific highway route. Current Status Announced; Release date TBD. Production Context Follows Bedi's success in Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
From Sidekick to Center Stage
Rakesh Bedi’s "promotion" to a lead role comes after decades of being one of Bollywood's most reliable character actors. His recent stint in the Dhurandhar films (Part 1 in Dec 2025 and Part 2 in March 2026) proved his ability to balance menace with humor, a range that Suresh Triveni likely aims to exploit in NH404.
SantaBanta Verdict:
Seeing a veteran like Rakesh Bedi get a solo lead in a thriller directed by Suresh Triveni is one of the most exciting "undercard" announcements of 2026. If the title is any indication, we’re in for a gritty road-thriller that might just prove that there’s more to Jameel Jamali—and Rakesh Bedi—than meets the eye.
