23 April,2026 07:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela
Dismissing rumours of delay in his film's release, director Anurag Basu has confirmed that his upcoming untitled film is on track. The upcoming musical stars Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela in the lead. Backed by T-Series, the film is progressing as planned, with production currently in motion. The project remains slated for a theatrical release later this year.
Despite ongoing speculation around the film's delay, the director has confirmed that the film is progressing steadily and remains firmly on track. The collaboration between the film's two actors has already sparked considerable curiosity, marking a fresh pairing under Basu's direction.
Speaking about the film's status, director Anurag Basu said, "We are very much on schedule and the shoot is progressing well. It's a film we believe in deeply, and we are bringing it to audiences this year as intended."
With filming in full swing, the project continues to build anticipation among audiences, promising a grand musical experience when it arrives in theatres this year.
Meanwhile, Basu's film was initially scheduled for a 2025 release. After the release of Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, there were rumours that the themes of both films were similar. It led to speculations of Basu rewriting the script of his film.
Is there any truth to the buzz? A hard no, says Basu while talking to mid-day in 2025 after the release of Saiyaara. Unfazed by the rumours, the filmmaker said, "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. 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?"
