Mar 07, 2026 12:55pm IST
Madhubala Biopic Back on Track With Kiara Advani In Lead and Sanjay Leela Bhansali As Producer (EXCLUSIVE)
A year after the film was put on the backburner due to budgetary constraints, the long-gestating biopic of the legendary actress Madhubala is gaining momentum again. Variety India has exclusively learned that the project is being revived, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali now coming on board to produce and Kiara Advani starring in the lead role.
While the logistical details are still being worked on, sources confirm the Madhubala biopic is back on track and will go on floors by the end of this year. Advani has been locked in to play the evergreen Bollywood diva on-screen, while the casting is underway for the two male leads, who will take on the roles of Dilip Kumar and Kishore Kumar.
Jasmeet K. Reen, who made her directorial debut with the Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, and Vijay Varma-starrer critically acclaimed film “Darlings,” will direct this film. Jasmeet has been passionately working on this script for several years and was heartbroken when the film stalled last year due to budgetary constraints. With Bhansali backing it now, the film is expected to be mounted on a lavish scale as originally envisioned.
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The yet-untitled film will chronicle the extraordinary life and legacy of Madhubala, one of the greatest actresses of Indian cinema. It will explore not only her iconic career but also her personal struggles; her turbulent relationships with Dilip Kumar and her husband Kishore Kumar; and her tragic death at the age of 36.
Often referred to as the ‘Venus of Indian Cinema,' Madhubala was celebrated for her ethereal beauty, screen presence, and remarkable versatility. In a career spanning 22 years, she appeared in over 60 movies, including iconic films such as “Mughal-E-Azam,” “Neel Kamal,” "Mr. & Mrs. 55,” “Chalti Ka Naam Gari,” and “Howrah Bridge,” among others.
Kiara's casting as Madhubala marks a dream-come-true moment for the actress, as she has always expressed a strong desire to portray her on-screen. Apparently, she was also in talks for Meena Kumari's biopic but has chosen this project as a priority. The film will mark her first acting assignment following the birth of her child last year. Coming up ahead, she will next be seen in Yash's much-awaited action thriller, “Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-ups,” set to release in theatres on June 4, 2026.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, meanwhile, is currently shooting for his period romance, “Love & War,” starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt. The film is expected to release in cinemas early next year.
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