Dubai: Phars Film (PHF) has locked down the overseas theatrical distribution rights for “Singham Again,” the upcoming tentpole from Jio Studios, the content arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited. The action thriller, helmed by hitmaker Rohit Shetty, is poised to be one of Bollywood’s marquee releases for 2024.

The pic marks the fifth entry in Shetty’s popular cop universe. The franchise – initially based on Hari’s 2010 Tamil-language “Singam,” starring Suriya – kicked off with “Singham” (2011) and “Singham Returns” (2014), both centering on Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn), a straight-arrow Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) from the Goa-Maharashtra border town of Shivgarh. “Simmba” (2018) shifted focus to Sangram “Simmba” Bhalerao (Ranveer Singh), a corrupt inspector from Singham’s hometown. The series expanded further with “Sooryavanshi” (2021), introducing Akshay Kumar as DCP Veer Sooryavanshi.