Speculation around and upcoming romantic musical has been doing the rounds for months, especially after promotional material releasing in 2025 and reports hinted at a near-complete project.
However, the film’s director Anurag Basu has now set the record straight and made it apparent that fans might have to wait for a while to watch the pair on-screen. In a recent interaction, Basu dismissed claims that most of the film has already been shot. His revelation will clear confusion about this much-awaited film, which is set to be Sreeleela’s debut in Bollywood.
Kartik Aaryan-Sreeleela film in early stages of shooting
In a chat with Variety India, Anurag Basu confirmed that the film is still in its early stages of production. Contrary to widespread reports suggesting that the shoot was largely complete, the director revealed that only a limited portion has been filmed so far. He stated that he has shot very few days for the project, adding that the filming has essentially just begun. Basu clarified, “I’ve not shot more than 45 days for this film. The shooting has just started.” This directly contradicts earlier buzz that said the film as being close to completion.
The untitled romantic musical, backed by T-Series, had initially created excitement when its promo was unveiled in February last year. At the time, the makers had announced a December 2025 release. However, the film has since faced delays due to multiple factors, leading to confusion about its actual progress. Basu’s latest clarification now provides a more realistic picture of where the project stands.
While addressing the current film, Basu also shared insights into his future plans. He revealed that he is eager to move on to his long-awaited biopic on legendary singer Kishore Kumar once the Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela starrer is completed. The filmmaker admitted that the Kishore Kumar project has been on his mind for a long time and that he is keen to begin work on it as soon as possible.
Sreeleela on working with Anurag Basu
Meanwhile, Sreeleela has also expressed her enthusiasm for the film, which is expected to mark her debut in Hindi cinema. In an earlier interview with Galatta Plus, she described the experience of working with Anurag Basu as “unreal” and said the project holds a special place in her heart. Although she refrained from revealing specific details, she hinted that the film would be significantly different from her previous work.
She also praised Basu’s unique directorial style, noting his ability to bring out authentic performances from actors. According to her, the filmmaker has an intense creative approach that may not be immediately visible, but plays a crucial role in shaping the plot and performances. Sreeleela even referred to him affectionately as ‘Dada,’ saying that Basu does not realise how big of a director he is.