The buzz surrounding the highly anticipated Aadu 3 reached a fever pitch this week following rumours that actress Nikhila Vimal would appear in a high-octane "item dance" number. The reports spread so rapidly that director Midhun Manuel Thomas found himself fielding calls from confused colleagues before he even had his morning coffee.

However, the filmmaker has now stepped forward to firmly debunk the gossip, offering a glimpse into the actual scale of the Jayasurya-starrer.

Addressing the viral headlines, Midhun expressed his genuine surprise at the narrative that had taken on a life of its own. “When I woke up one morning, there were big headlines saying Nikhila was doing an item dance. One or two director friends even called to ask me whether she was performing," he shared.

The director clarified that while the film does feature a choreographed sequence, it does not fit the "item dance" trope, nor does it involve Nikhila. "In truth, there is no such concept as an item dance in our film. We do have a dance number, and someone performs it. But it is certainly not Nikhila,” he confirmed.

While the dance rumors provided a brief distraction, the real story lies in the massive tonal shift for the franchise. What began as a quirky, irreverent comedy in 2015 has now evolved into what Midhun describes as an "epic fantasy."

The director revealed that the project has grown so large in scope that it will now unfold in two parts. Interestingly, the script for the second installment is already complete, with the current footage serving as a grand introduction to a much larger world.

Jayasurya returns as the iconic Shaji Pappan, supported by the franchise's beloved ensemble including Vinayakan, Saiju Kurup, Sunny Wayne, and Dharmajan Bolgatty.

Aadu 3 is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 19, 2026.