Sufficient discussion followed news of Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016) leading lady Diana Penty settling for a supporting act in the sequel, only to make way for Sonakshi Sinha. So much so, that few, in turn, discussed the absence of Abhay Deol, who breathed life into the character of Bilal in the original. As former cast members Jimmy Sheirgill, Ali Fazal, Piyush Mishra and Penty mark their return in the second edition - Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, director Mudassar Aziz says Deol's character was best represented in conversations only.

"Is Bilal missing from the sequel? No," says Aziz, referring to the role played by Deol. "Geographically, my characters are in such a place where Bilal cannot be. However, he is spoken about throughout the film. He is one of the root causes of conflict in this offering," promises the director.