Alia Bhatt to star in Kalki 2898 AD director Nag Ashwin’s next after Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love And War? Here’s what we know

Alia Bhatt is one of the most sought-after actresses in Indian cinema and is currently occupied with the filming of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The actress has committed over 200 days to the visionary director, who aims to wrap up the film by October 2025. Meanwhile, Alia has been on the lookout for a compelling script to follow Love & War. Now, as per an exclusive report by Pinkvilla, her search is nearing its conclusion, as she is in advanced discussions with National Award-winning director Nag Ashwin for a feature film.

Alia Bhatt in Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD

According to sources familiar with the project, before commencing work on the next instalment of Kalki 2898 AD, Nag Ashwin is keen to direct a standalone feature film with Alia Bhatt in the lead role. “The genre and other details are being kept under wraps for now, but Nag Ashwin is in advanced talks to collaborate with Alia Bhatt on a subject close to his heart. Alia has been captivated by the world Nag envisions and is eager to work with the talented filmmaker.”

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The source further elaborated that discussions have reached an advanced stage, though the deal is yet to be finalised. “Scheduling is a crucial factor, as Alia wants to ensure absolute clarity on the timeline for Love & War before committing to another project from November. Nag Ashwin, on the other hand, is keen to begin his next venture in November and complete it within a specific timeframe, as he is also set to resume work on Kalki 2898 AD in the latter half of 2026. At present, negotiations are focused on finalising logistics, timelines, and other modalities. Creatively, both parties are aligned, and it is now a matter of working out the finer details,” a source close to Pinkvilla added.

Alia Bhatt on professional front

Last year, Alia was on the verge of signing a romantic drama titled Housewife, directed by Abhishek Pathak, but the project is no longer moving forward. “Alia is now strongly considering Nag Ashwin’s film as her next after Love & War. If all goes as planned, her upcoming slate of films for the big screen will include Alpha, Love & War, a Nag Ashwin directorial, and Chamunda, which is part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe,” the source concluded.

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