Alia Bhatt, who is currently filming Love and War, has reportedly opted out of director Nag Ashwin’s upcoming woman-centric film due to scheduling conflicts. Known for her packed slate, the Jigra actress was initially attached to the project, but as per Mid-Day, her prior commitment to Maddock Films’ Chamunda from March 2026 led to a date clash with Ashwin’s proposed timeline.
Despite Alia’s exit, the film is still moving forward. Director Nag Ashwin is now considering Sai Pallavi for the lead role. If her schedule aligns, Pallavi may begin shooting for the film before Ashwin shifts focus to Kalki 2. She is expected to complete the second installment of Ramayana by mid-2026, potentially allowing her to join Ashwin’s project immediately after.
Meanwhile, Chamunda is shaping up to be one of Maddock Films’ most anticipated releases. Directed by Amar Kaushik, the film is described as a psychological supernatural thriller. Alia is reportedly enthusiastic about the role, and a source close to the production told Pinkvilla, “Alia has always explored multiple collaborations with Dinesh Vijan, and Chamunda could be her next big screen project after Love and War. Talks are in advanced stages, with a formal announcement expected in early 2025.”
Shah Rukh Khan was also approached for Chamunda, but according to Bollywood Hungama, he turned down the offer. The actor reportedly declined to join Maddock’s established horror-comedy universe, instead expressing interest in starting an entirely new concept with the production house in the future.
Alia will next be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The film is set to hit theatres on March 20, 2026.