If the mammoth success of Saiyaara (2025) has taught the Hindi film industry something, it’s that the audience wants to see young love on screen. Not surprisingly then, there’s another in the making. mid-day has exclusively learnt that producers Atul Kasbekar and Tanuj Garg of Neerja (2016) fame are in talks with actors Rohit Saraf, Nitanshi Goel, and Rasha Thadani for an intense love story.

An insider shares, “Rohit has a soft, romantic charm, far from the alpha heroes we see on screen today. His popularity has only increased with Mismatched. Nitanshi and Rasha caught the audience’s attention with their respective maiden Bollywood ventures, Laapataa Ladies [2024] and Azaad [2025]. The makers felt it would be interesting to bring the trio together in a space that they haven’t explored before.”

While discussions with the actors are said to be progressing swiftly, we’ve heard the makers have yet to zero in on a director.

Reports of actor Ahan Shetty teaming up with filmmaker Shaad Ali for his next, a love story, have being doing the rounds. Now, we have learnt that actor Nitanshi Goel has come on board as leading lady.

A source connected to the film reveals, “The film is a love story based in Uttar Pradesh. Shaad completed the recce last month and has finalised his locations and other details. The film will be shot in and around Bareilly.”

As per the source, the announcement for the film will be made after the release of Border 2. “(Actor) Sanjay Dutt has also been approached for a pivotal role. Talks are on but nothing is finalized yet. Shoot is expected to start by February next year,” the source adds.

We reached out to Nitanshi, Shaad and Sanjay but they did not respond till the time of going to press.

Bollywood’s rumour mill is buzzing about Sajid Khan possibly returning to the director’s chair. Seven years after he was called out in multiple Me Too allegations by actors and journalists, and subsequently faced the Federation of Western India Cine Employees’ year-long ban that ended in 2019, it is heard that the director is in discussions with Zee Studios to helm a rom-com.

Word in the trade circle is that the yet-untitled film will serve as a launchpad for Govinda’s son Yashvardhan Ahuja. Nitanshi Goel of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ (2024) fame and Krithi Shetty have been chosen as the female leads.

An insider told mid-day, “Sajid has been approached by the studio, but he hasn’t said yes yet. The studio heads are keen to have him helm the film as the comedy elements are right up his alley. Yashvardhan has another project with Phantom Studios, but he is likely to start shooting for this first. Sajid was earlier to direct a film with John Abraham, but that didn’t work out.”

Talk also suggests that the rom-com might be a remake of a hit South Indian movie.

mid-day contacted Khan and Zee Studios. Both did not respond till press time.

Actors usually put their best fashion foot forward to walk the red carpet, especially when it is for the Cannes Film Festival. Nitanshi Goel combined fashion with emotion as she made her debut at the festival with an homage to Madhubala, Rekha, Sridevi, and Hema Malini, among others. Goel, who rose to fame with her debut film Laapataa Ladies (2024), was seen sporting a pearl hair accessory (parandi) with frames of veteran actors created by jewellery brand BeAbhika.

Speaking to mid-day about the inspiration behind this gesture, she says the idea was to pay an homage that “felt personal yet celebratory”. “It came from love for the icons who’ve defined grace, strength, and cinematic brilliance in Indian cinema. Their presence has always felt timeless, and I wanted to carry their spirit with me to Cannes. These women walked so we could run,” beams Goel, who was part of the newly-inaugurated Bharat Pavilion — the government-backed platform at Cannes — aimed at promoting Indian cinema.

By representing India at the festival, her dream became a reality. She says, “I was there to celebrate our culture, stories, and the women who’ve shaped it so beautifully. The experience was filled with inspiration, heartfelt conversations, and warmth from people all over the world. I’ve returned with a heart full of gratitude.”

Still basking in the acclaim and accolades for Laapataa Ladies, Goel shares that the film’s glory is reflected in the offers she gets now. “The parts coming my way now are more layered and diverse. I feel ready to dive into stories that challenge me,” she says.

Nitanshi Goel holds her meeting with Rekha close to her heart. She shares that the yesteryear actor once told her, “Be patient with the journey, and protect your truth.”

Bollywood films are experiencing a challenging time at the box office, with even anticipated releases facing dry runs. Weighing in, actor Pankaj Tripathi points out the “obvious” solution: “Aur zyada rooted stories hon, aur kya?”

The 48-year-old, last seen in Stree 2 (2024) and currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming web series, feels that stories rooted in our culture are the ones that connect with the emotions of the audience. “Mimi (2021) is a great example. It was an interesting story, but the backdrop of it was so rooted, and it was based in culture, thus people related to it,” he says.

Other than looking for relatable, fresh stories, filmmakers in recent times have also iterated the need for reinvention, particularly with new faces. And here, Pankaj insists that it’s easier for newcomers to grab opportunities: “When we entered, there was no web space. It took me 18 years to make a place of my own in the industry. But on OTT, you see so much new talent in every show and film.”

While fresh faces are getting exposure, the actor also points out what is missing. “Kaafi naye talent audience ke dil mein apni jagah bana pa rahe hain, jaise ki Laapataa Ladies (2024) wale actors (Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastava). Woh kaam acha karte hain, bas unke paas PR machinery nahin hoti ki wo apne kaam ki prashansa karwa payein. They aren’t able to reach the right people to get articles published on them,” Pankaj explains, adding, “We are now a bit experienced, so we have some connections with the media. Newcomers don’t; they just need space in the media and they will reach people more.”

At the age of 16, actor Nitanshi Goel has found herself in the spotlight, earning waves of appreciation for her portrayal of the character Phool in Kiran Rao’s latest film, Laapataa Ladies.

Recalling her journey to securing the role, Goel shares, “When I got the offer to audition for it, I had no clue that it was associated with Kiran ma’am or Aamir (Khan, actor and co-producer of the movie) sir.” 

Continuing, she shares, “The moment I read three long scenes, I just wanted to be a part of it. I prepped the whole night for the project and watched old movies. I woke up and got ready as Phool; I didn’t even have a saree, kisi tarah lehenga dupatta pehenke kia.”

The actor, who was also seen in supporting roles in Sukhee (2023), couldn’t believe it when Aamir expressed a desire to meet her. “I got a call within a few hours of the audition that Kiran ma’am and Aamir sir wanted to meet me for lunch. At first, I thought that it was a prank call,” she shares, adding, “Maine bola ki mere dimaag main toh ek hi Aamir Khan aa rahe hain, par aap please specifically bataaiye aap kiski baat kar rahe hain. They assured me that it was him, and I was surprised.”

“I was so nervous to meet him. He said, ‘Aapne kya kamaal ka audition diya hai’. He asked me ki aapne acting kahan se seekhi hai. I told him that I had just given four to five auditions every day, and from each audition, I learnt to play different roles. He went up to my mum and said, ‘Aapke paas heera hai’,” she recounts the conversation and adds, “It felt so special as my mum also started weeping. Mera kitna bada sapna sachh ho gaya. I’ve always looked up to him, and now him having conversations about my life and praising me was unbelievable!”

Haven’t many of us wondered when Kiran Rao will return to direction as we watched the poignant Dhobi Ghat (2010), several times over? But you can’t hurry filmmakers true to their art; they will rekindle their romance with the camera only when they have a story to tell. And Rao seems to have found hers. Almost 12 years since her directorial debut opened to glowing reviews, the producer-director has quietly kicked off the shoot of her second project. mid-day has learnt that the drama-comedy, backed by Aamir Khan Productions, went on floors in a town near Pune on January 8.

Dhobi Ghat, which was an ode to Mumbai and the lives it witnesses, was dubbed as an arthouse movie. For her second offering, Rao has switched gears. A source reveals, “Kiran’s next is a massy entertainer. Aamir loved the script when she narrated it to him, and instantly agreed to come on board as producer. The two continue to remain friends and collaborators after their divorce.”

The film, written by Biplab Goswami with a screenplay by Sneha Desai, is centred on three characters. After an extensive hunt, Rao found her lead in Sparsh Shrivastav of Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega fame. “Besides the Netflix series, he has acted in several serials, including Balika Vadhu. For the remaining two leads, she has zeroed in on Pratibha Ranta, who was seen in Zee TV’s Qurbaan Hua, and 15-year-old Nitanshi Goel, earlier seen in Peshwa Bajirao and Karmaphal Daata Shani.”

Owing to its subject, the film will be shot across different towns in Maharashtra. The source adds, “The first schedule, conducted in adherence with Coronavirus guidelines, will go on till January 20. Post that, the unit will take a break as per Coronavirus protocol, and resume after a few weeks in the next location. Kiran intends to wrap up the shoot by April. The film will also mark the return of composer Ram Sampath and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya to the banner after Delhi Belly [2011].”

(From left) Pratibha Ranta and Sparsh Shrivastav front the film