Actress in Talks for Dhanush’s Mythological Epic after more than two decades Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali may finally be joining hands. If discussions materialise, the collaboration could became one of the biggest casting surprises, bringing together two industry heavyweights who have never worked together despite years of speculation.
The possibility of Kareena Kapoor Khan collaborating with Sanjay Leela Bhansali has once again become one of the biggest talking points in Bollywood. According to Bollywood Hungama Report, Bhansali has approached Kareena for a pivotal parallel lead in his upcoming mythological adventure film starring Dhanush.
Although the project is still in its writing phase, early developments indicate’s Bhansali has already begun informal casting discussions with key actors. Kareena is believed to be the first names approached for an important role that runs parallel to Dhanush’s character throughout the narrative.
If everything falls into place, the film would mark the first ever collaboration between Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Kareena Kapoor Khan, ending a chapter that has remained unfinished for more than twenty years with speculation of DEVDAS.
AS KBP REVIEW SOURCES, The upcoming film is based on a mythology inspired jungle adventure centred around an elephant. While the makers have kept most story details under wraps, they describe it as one of Bhansali’s most ambitious concepts with blending mythology, fantasy, emotion and large-scale visual storytelling.
Unlike Bhansali’s historical dramas, this project is expected to explore a fresh cinematic space with extensive visual effects and rich world building while still retaining the emotional depth for which the filmmaker is known.
The pre-production is expected to begin in November 2026, with principal photography likely to commence from January 2027 if the script and casting are finalised on schedule.
However, discussions regarding remuneration, shooting dates and contractual commitments are still underway. No official confirmation has been made by either Bhansali Productions or Kareena’s team so far.
The story dates back to the early 2000s during the casting of Devdas. Kareena had reportedly screen tested for the role of Paro and was widely believed that the strongest contenders before the role eventually went to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
The casting decision led to a highly public disagreement between Kareena and Bhansali. At the time, Kareena openly expressed disappointment in several interviews, while Bhansali later moved ahead with Devdas, which eventually became Indian cinema’s most celebrated classics.
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Since then, despite occasional rumours over the years, the director and actress have never collaborated on any project. Several Bhansali films including Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, and Gangubai Kathiawadi were at different points linked to Kareena in speculation, but none ultimately materialised.
Her recent choices have demonstrated a willingness to experiment beyond traditional glamorous characters, earning appreciation from both audiences and critics.
Bhansali’s cinema could offer Kareena another opportunity to showcase a completely different side of her acting abilities. Bhansali has consistently extracted acclaimed performances from actresses including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Manisha Koirala.So Many fans now believe Kareena finally receiving that opportunity is long overdue.
Bhansali sees Dhanush as the perfect choice to lead a mythology based adventure requiring both emotional depth and physical transformation. The project is locked for mounted on a grand scale, with extensive production design, large outdoor schedules and significant visual effects work.
While official announcements remain pending, the combination of Bhansali’s storytelling and Dhanush’s acting has already generated considerable excitement across social media.
Bhansali’s Packed Slate Reflects His Global Ambition The filmmaker currently has one of the busiest slates in Indian cinema with Love And War and more. Apart from his upcoming projects, Bhansali continues expanding his creative ambitions after the success of Heeramandi, while simultaneously developing multiple feature films.
For audiences who followed the Devdas casting controversy in the early 2000s, this project carries an additional layer of curiosity. It represents two accomplished artists potentially putting the past behind them to create something entirely new.Whether or not the deal eventually reaches the finish line, the discussions themselves have already become Bollywood’s biggest industry stories this week.
ALSO READ: Sunny Deol Reveals His Mother Was Left In Tears After Watching Batwara 1947.
Speaking during an interaction with Variety India, Sunny Deol revealed that his family has already watched his upcoming film Batwara 1947, and the emotional response inside the Deol household was overwhelming.
The actor shared that his mother, Prakash Kaur, could not hold back her tears after the screening.”They have seen the film. They all loved it because it is a very emotional film,” Sunny said.
Speaking specifically about his mother’s reaction, he added that she broke down emotionally because the story revolves around family, sacrifice, humanity and the emotional pain people endure during times of conflict.
His co-star Preity Zinta echoed similar thoughts, describing Batwara 1947 as a deeply layered family drama rather than simply a historical film. She explained that every family member reacts differently during moments of crisis.
While younger people often believing they can change the world, parents are primarily focused on protecting and holding the family together. The film explores these contrasting perspectives while highlighting courage, sacrifice and moral conviction.
