Paatal Lok is preparing for a major creative change. Director Avinash Arun Dhaware, who helped establish the Prime Video crime drama’s distinctive visual style, has confirmed that he will not return for a potential third season. Instead, series creator Sudip Sharma is expected to take over directing responsibilities if the show continues.
In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Arun explained that his decision comes after years of demanding work on the series, rather than any creative disagreement.
Avinash Arun Explains Why He’s Leaving Paatal Lok
Having directed episodes of both seasons and served as cinematographer, Arun described the experience as creatively fulfilling but physically exhausting.
“Sudip Sharma will be directing the show moving forward; I am not returning,” Arun confirmed.
The filmmaker explained that combining cinematography with direction effectively doubled his workload. Managing both responsibilities while filming six to seven script pages daily made the production particularly demanding.
After spending five years continuously working on intense projects, Arun believes he has contributed everything he wanted to the series.
Despite stepping away, he expressed admiration for Sharma’s storytelling abilities, describing him as one of Indian entertainment’s most accomplished creative voices.
Arun’s departure also opens the possibility of exploring different genres. Known for films including Killa and Three of Us, he now hopes to experiment with fantasy, science fiction and romantic stories.
Why Sudip Sharma Taking Over Makes Sense
Sharma has been central to Paatal Lok since its debut in May 2020.
Created and written by Sharma, the series follows Jaideep Ahlawat’s Inspector Hathi Ram Chaudhary through criminal investigations exposing social inequality, political influence and systemic corruption.
Arun co-directed the first season alongside Prosit Roy before independently directing the second, which premiered on January 17, 2025.
The second installment moved its investigation to Nagaland, expanding the show’s geographical and political landscape.
Importantly, Sharma already has directing experience. He made his directorial debut alongside Faisal Rahman on Netflix’s Kohrra Season 2, released in February 2026.
That experience could make his transition from creator to director a natural progression, although his approach may differ from Arun’s atmospheric filmmaking.
Is Paatal Lok Season 3 Officially Confirmed?
Despite Arun identifying Sharma as his successor, Prime Video has not officially announced a third season.
Sharma previously explained that another installment would depend on finding the right story and bringing the necessary creative elements together.
The uncertainty is particularly relevant following Season 2’s conclusion, which leaves Hathi Ram at a significant personal crossroads.
It is also unclear whether Prosit Roy might return to direct additional episodes.
For now, Arun’s departure establishes a possible new creative direction rather than confirming that production is underway.
Should Paatal Lok return, Sharma’s move behind the camera would bring the show’s original storyteller even closer to shaping its next chapter.
