A Villain Returns) is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Mohit Suri and produced by T-Series and Balaji Motion Pictures.

[5][6][7][8][9] Ek Villain Returns was released theatrically on 29 July 2022 to mixed reviews from critics and was a box office bomb.

Ganesan, a criminal psychology expert who has previously studied Aditya's last big case involving psychopath Rakesh Mahadkar, refuses to believe the matter is this simple, as the story goes into a flashback with an introduction to Gautam.

Past: Gautam is a rich spoilt brat, who is berated by Divesh for having created a commotion at his ex-girlfriend Siya's wedding.

Aarvi falls for Gautam and reveals that her biological father Balkrishnan Shastri, a popular singer, had an extramarital affair with her mother, but never accepted either of them.

The cops interrogate Bhairav Purohit, whom Aarvi had called on the day she was murdered, but he denies committing the crime and there is no evidence either.

Past: Bhairav is a cab driver who works part-time as a zookeeper along with his widower friend Keshav, who has a son Yash, but ignores him for random girls which he brings to the zoo.

Bhairav meets Rasika Mapuskar, a retail salesgirl at a mall, falls deeply in love with her and harbors plans for marriage.

During a mid-credits scene, at a mental asylum, Rakesh, who has survived the accident and became paraplegic meets Bhairav, who has severe wounds on his body due to the tiger attack.

Aditya Roy Kapur was originally signed for the role portrayed by Arjun Kapoor, but later backed out due to creative differences with director Mohit Suri.

[11] A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "EK VILLAIN RETURNS is the epitome of supreme music, amazing visuals and thrilling moments".

[26] Shweta Keshri of India Today rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "The gripping plot of Ek Villain Returns is the winner with an engaging storyline.

[28] Rachana Dubey of The Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ek Villain Returns dishes out plenty of twists and turns but doesn't make you emotionally cheer for any of the characters or the story, though you wish the situation was different".

[29] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Heads are bludgeoned and the blood flows throughout Ek Villain Returns, but there's nothing more frightening than the valourisation of misogyny".

[30] Avinash Lohana of Pinkvilla rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ek Villain Returns was a promising entertainer, but it is the overall story that proves to be a bummer".

Vetticad of Firstpost rated the film 0.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "John Abraham barely alters his expression throughout Ek Villain Returns.

[35] Sukanya Vema of Rediff rated the film 0.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ek Villain Returns falls back on the popularity of the Galliyan track to boost its appeal".