Even as filmmaker Kabir Khan has begun shooting his next that is led by Kartik Aaryan, the actor has reported to the set of Anurag Basu’s romantic musical. It looks like the actor will juggle the two projects for some time to ensure that Basu’s film, reportedly titled ‘Tu Meri Zindagi Hai’, races towards completion. What’s brought on the rush? From what we have heard, the makers’ desire to arrive in cinemas before ‘Ramayana: Part 1’.

The Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash-led epic is expected to dominate screens upon its release this Diwali.

A source told mid-day, “Anurag and the makers want breathing space at the box office. They are aiming for a clean theatrical run without competition from a spectacle like ‘Ramayana’. October has one major release, ‘Drishyam 3’. So, producer Bhushan Kumar and Anurag are considering an October release.”

Aaryan and leading lady Sreeleela shot for a week in Kashmir, and will now move to Manali. The source added, “The idea is to wrap the bulk of the film before peak summer. Then Kartik will move to Kabir’s sports drama, while Anurag will lock his movie’s final cut.”

Just one film into her career, Rasha Thadani is already looking South. The 21-year-old is set to make her South cinema debut with Srinivasa Mangapuram (Telugu), with the makers recently dropping behind-the-scenes footage on her birthday, offering a glimpse into her look from the film.

Excited about the response, Rasha says she has long been drawn to the scale and storytelling of South films. “I have loved watching South cinema, be it the films of Prabhas sir, Jr NTR sir, Mahesh Babu sir. I enjoy how all their movies are larger than life. It’s just so enjoyable to be a part of,” she says.

She also points to the influence of leading women in the industry. Rasha shares, “Even their female actors, be it Rashmika Mandanna or Sreeleela, they are all so inspiring. I am so grateful that I get to be a part of a project that belongs to that cinema. I hope all goes well.”

Up next, Rasha is gearing up for the release of her second film Laikey Laikaa, co-starring Abhay Verma. Calling it a significant step, the actor adds, “This film is going to be so important for me. The director Saurabh Gupta has written the dialogue for Animal (2023), and Abhay is very special. The film will surprise people and I hope it lives up to expectations.”

Is it Kartik Aaryan? Is it a shape-shifting snake? Well, it’s Aaryan filming his portions as a serpent in his next, Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand. Sources have told mid-day that director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, and the actor are currently shooting the creature comedy’s penultimate leg in Mumbai, with the duo planning to wrap up the project by February-end.

A source revealed, “Ravi Kishan too is part of the ongoing schedule. In February, the crew will move to Delhi for the last leg that will go on for a month. With that, the principal production will be complete, and March will be reserved for patch work.”

To ensure that Naagzilla meets its August 14 release date, we’ve heard that the VFX work is underway simultaneously. “Considering it’s a VFX-heavy film, the makers want it to be perfect so that it’s an immersive experience for the audience. Once the shoot is over, the team will take stock of the work left and the amount of time needed,” added the source.

The creature comedy marks Aaryan’s second collaboration with Dharma Productions after Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (2025).

‘Naagzilla’ stars South actor Sreeleela as the female lead. It marks her second outing with Kartik Aaryan, opposite whom she is making her Bollywood debut with Anurag Basu’s musical drama.

Adding a Maddock Films’ entertainer to her filmography may not happen as soon as Ananya Panday had expected. While the actor was supposed to lead Choomantar along with Munjya (2023) find Abhay Verma, sources have now told mid-day that Panday is no longer attached to the fantasy romance. Reason? Scheduling conflicts with the second season of Call Me Bae, we’re told.

It turns out the change was made recently after it became clear that Panday’s 2026 commitments would overlap with the timeline of Tarun Dudeja’s directorial venture. A source revealed, “The team of Choomantar is aiming to begin filming in January 2026. That clashes with Call Me Bae 2, which recently went on floors. So, Ananya and the makers of Choomantar decided to part ways, with the promise of working soon.”

Following her exit, the makers are said to have restructured the cast. We’ve learnt that South actor Sreeleela and Janki Bodiwala of Vash Level 2 fame are expected to lead the film with Verma.

The source added, “A mock shoot with the trio happened last week. The fantasy romantic drama has been in preparation for several months, and workshops are likely to begin next week.”

Saiyaara has sparked many things — cheer at the box office, an outpouring of love from fans, and social media clips of heightened reactions from moviegoers.

Interestingly, it has also brought about intense scrutiny on Anurag Basu’s yet-untitled romantic musical with Kartik Aaryan, which is said to have similar plot points. Ever since Mohit Suri’s directorial venture became a monstrous hit, rumours are rife that Basu and his team are reworking their script.

Is there any truth to the buzz? A hard no, says Basu. Unfazed by the rumours, the filmmaker says, “Mohit and I are very close. I’m happy for his film’s success. The only similarity in our films is that the male lead is a rockstar, and the story is about his journey.”

Starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Saiyaara depicts a musician’s heartbreak as the love of his life battles early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and how it changes their lives. Sources indicate that the upcoming Aaryan and Sreeleela-starrer too initially explored similar themes.

A source reveals, “After Saiyaara’s success, Kartik, Anurag, and producer Bhushan Kumar felt they needed to up the scale and emotional stakes of their story. So, parts of it are being rewritten; they will do away with the segment of the female lead battling a mental illness. Post the rewrite, the unit will have a 40-day re-shoot of portions that were filmed earlier this year.”

Mention this to Basu, and he says neither a rewrite nor a re-shoot is on the cards. The filmmaker adds that he was aware of Saiyaara’s story beforehand — the revelation echoes what Suri told mid-day earlier this month (‘I went and narrated the film to Anurag’, July 19).

Basu elaborates, “In my film, the girl doesn’t have dementia or any [other condition]. We are not rewriting or re-shooting. I knew beforehand that the girl has Alzheimer’s [disease] in Saiyaara. So, why would I write the same [plot point] in mine?”

The director, however, admits that his love story — initially planned as a Diwali offering — has been pushed to 2026. He attributes it to his busy calendar and continuity issues. “We have shot about 40 per cent of the film. In August and September, we plan to shoot another schedule in which Kartik will have a clean-shaven look. He is currently shooting for Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, in which he has a specific look. The continuity is the problem. He needs to complete that film; after that, by the month-end, we will lock the next schedule.”

In his interviews, Mohit Suri has revealed that the core idea of Saiyaara was originally pitched for Aashiqui 3. However, things didn’t work out, and Suri went on to develop it as Saiyaara. 

Meanwhile, Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt roped in Kartik Aaryan and Anurag Basu to make Aashiqui 3. But when the two producers parted ways on the project, there was a legal dispute over the use of ‘Aashiqui’ in the film’s title. The Delhi High Court ruled in Bhatt’s favour, preventing Kumar from naming the Aaryan-starrer Aashiqui 3.

Varun Dhawan barely has time to breathe. After wrapping up an elaborate 45-day schedule for Border 2, he is now preparing for the next schedule in Uttarakhand. He will then head to shoot for his father David Dhawan’s entertainer. This yet-untitled project marks the father-son duo’s fourth collaboration after Main Tera Hero (2014), Judwaa 2 (2017), and Coolie No. 1 (2020). Backed by Ramesh Taurani’s Tips Entertainment, the film also marks Kannada actor Sreeleela’s Bollywood debut, featuring alongside Mrunal Thakur and Maniesh Paul.

After wrapping up the Mumbai and Goa schedule, a 45-day schedule has been planned across London and other parts of the UK during May and June. A source reveals that the veteran filmmaker and his team have locked several iconic locations for the shoot, ensuring a mix of grand cityscapes and scenic countryside backdrops.

The source shares, “Varun and the team will be shooting extensively in London, covering popular spots including Piccadilly Circus among other places. There is an elaborate dance number planned which will be one of the highlights of the film.”

The UK schedule will also include a week-long shoot in the countryside, where the team will film key romantic portions and a chase sequence.

“David Dhawan is keen on bringing a fresh, international aesthetic to the film while maintaining his signature humour and energy,” the source adds.

Varun, who has been juggling multiple projects, will fly to London by mid-May after completing his commitments for Border 2 and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.