Sohum Shah on Alia Bhatt Joining ‘Tumbbad 2’: ‘She Understood the Merit of the Script’ (EXCLUSIVE)

For Sohum Shah, casting Alia Bhatt in “Tumbbad 2” was remarkably smooth, with the actor agreeing to come on board after just two meetings. “Tumbbad” clocks in eight years on October 12, and its sequel is expected to release in December 2027. Speaking about the collaboration, Shah says Bhatt quickly recognized the script’s potential, despite the filmmakers not being established names on the scale of some of the industry’s biggest directors.

“We narrated the script to her and she read it. She immediately said yes. She really liked the script, so it was a very easy process. She is very sincere and professional. The entire process was very smooth,” Shah tells Variety India.

Shah also praises Bhatt’s sharp instincts and business acumen, noting that the questions she asked during their initial meeting reflected her understanding of the material. “She is very sharp. As good an artiste as she is, I think her business sense is equally good. When we went to meet her, she asked some very pertinent questions. I don’t remember exactly what she asked, but she heard the narration, read the script within two or three days and we met again. Alia Bhatt was signed in just two meetings!” he shares.

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Shah adds that such a quick decision was unusual, attributing it to Bhatt’s understanding of what the screenplay offered. “That doesn’t happen very often. It’s very tough. But she understood the merit of the script, what was there in it and what wasn’t. So, yes, she is very sharp,” he says.

The actor-producer also reveals that Bhatt was already familiar with “Tumbbad” and liked the original film. He said she shared his view that the 2018 fantasy horror film is often categorized too narrowly as horror.

While Shah has kept details of Bhatt’s character under wraps, he expresses confidence in the casting, saying her role would contribute significantly to the sequel. “Alia is in the film, but her character contributes a lot to it. It is very correct casting. When people watch the film, they will understand why it is such a good casting choice,” he concludes.