Sara Arjun bags Madhubala role

Along-awaited biopic on legendary actress Madhubala is finally moving forward, with Dhurandhar actress Sara Arjun confirmed to play the iconic star. Reportedly, the project, which had faced multiple delays over the years, will now be released directly on a streaming platform.

Backed by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the ambitious film will be directed by Jasmeet K Reen, known for her debut feature Darlings starring Alia Bhatt and Shefali Shah.

According to a report in Variety India, the production is expected to begin in July 2026. The film had earlier been put on hold due to budget constraints but gained momentum after Bhansali came on board as producer.

Sara, who recently made her Bollywood debut with Dhurandhar alongside Ranveer Singh, will undergo a significant transformation to portray Madhubala’s timeless charm and screen presence. She has already started preparing for the role, while casting is currently underway for the male leads who will play Dilip Kumar and Kishore Kumar.

Interestingly, actress Kiara Advani was earlier in talks for the lead role, but discussions did not progress, leading to 

Sara being finalised for the part.