As Kalki 2 hits a roadblock with Deepika Padukone’s exit, Nag Ashwin resumes work on his female-led film. Alia Bhatt was supposed to be a part; however, she has backed out due to scheduling conflict. Sai Pallavi is in talks to replace her
Alia Bhatt and Sai Pallavi
Last November, mid-day had reported that Alia Bhatt was in talks to headline filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s yet-untitled woman-led film (Alia Bhatt to front Nag Ashwin’s next, Nov 10, 2024). But 11 months is a long time for things to change. Ashwin, whose ‘Kalki 2’ is now undergoing a round of casting following Deepika Padukone’s exit, is reportedly considering focusing on his woman-centric film in the interim. However, that clashes with Bhatt, who is said to have given bulk dates to Maddock Films’ ‘Chamunda’ from March 2026. In the latest development, industry chatter suggests that the filmmaker has resumed talks with Sai Pallavi, who has long been his choice to lead the action drama.
A source close to the production revealed, “Nag didn’t let go of the idea of the woman-led film. It was simmering on the backburner through most of 2025. With the developments in Kalki 2, bringing the other project forward is a possibility.”
Nag Ashwin
Pallavi, however, can allot her dates only after the two-part Ramayana is complete. The source adds, “She is expected to wrap up the second instalment of ‘Ramayana’ by mid-2026. If the dates align, she could step into Nag’s film before he moves to ‘Kalki 2’.” Insiders, however, insist that schedules and casting could shift, given the dynamic nature of the projects in question.
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