Kiara Advani to play Meena Kumari in Siddharth P Malhotra's directorial Kamal Aur Meena

Kiara Advani

Is it Kiara Advani? Is it Kriti Sanon? That was the question over the last few months as director Siddharth P Malhotra was zeroing in on the casting of Kamal Aur Meena, his film that chronicles the stormy relationship between late Meena Kumari and her husband Kamal Amrohi, a filmmaker (Main Meena Kumari banna chahti hoon, Jan 31). Now, mid-day has exclusively learnt that Advani is set to lead the ambitious movie.

(From left) Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi

Word is that the Bilal Amrohi production will look at the cine icon's life, particularly her marriage to the Pakeezah (1972) maker. A source reveals, "The negotiations were going on for months. In Kiara, the director has found a performer, who carries vintage Bollywood charm and has the emotional depth to do justice to Meena Kumari's life."

Manish Malhotra was planning a Meena Kumari biopic with Kriti Sanon. It has now been shelved

Kamal Aur Meena will mark not only Advani's first real-life character, but also her first film shoot since becoming a mother in July. The project will roll in the first half of 2026. Another insider shares, "It gives Kiara enough time to prepare, as she will have to pick up the basics of Urdu." The hunt for the male lead is on. mid-day reached out to Malhotra's team, who didn't respond till press time.