Rumours surrounding the casting of filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra’s much-awaited biographical drama Kamal Aur Meena have been making headlines for months. Among the names linked to the project, Kiara Advani emerged as a frontrunner to portray legendary actress Meena Kumari. However, the filmmaker has now addressed the speculation and clarified the current status of the casting process.
Siddharth P Malhotra revealed that no actor has been officially locked for the film yet. Reacting to reports suggesting that Kiara Advani was being considered for the role of Meena Kumari, the director explained that several factors influence casting decisions, including the overall scale and budget of the project.
“Till it’s not locked, it’s not locked. It’s how the business is. It’s not only the actor; it’s the overall cost of the thing that is a determinant,” Malhotra said, indicating that discussions are still ongoing and no final decision has been made regarding the lead cast.
Announced in 2024, Kamal Aur Meena is based on the extraordinary love story and lives of legendary filmmaker Kamal Amrohi and iconic actress Meena Kumari. While the film was initially expected to begin production earlier, it is yet to go on floors as the makers continue to fine-tune key aspects of the project.
Sharing an exciting update about the script, Malhotra revealed that the team has gained access to Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari’s personal handwritten love letters and diaries. According to the filmmaker, the screenplay has been developed using nearly 2,000 letters and diary notes, promising an intimate and authentic portrayal of one of Bollywood’s most celebrated relationships.
“We have finished the scripting and are working towards the casting. The project will hopefully roll by the year-end,” he added.
Since the announcement of Kamal Aur Meena, movie lovers and industry insiders have been eager to know who will step into the shoes of the legendary couple. With Meena Kumari being regarded as one of Indian cinema’s greatest actresses, expectations surrounding the casting remain exceptionally high.
Meanwhile, Siddharth P Malhotra is currently preparing for the release of Ikka, a courtroom drama featuring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna in lead roles. The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on July 10, 2026, and has already generated considerable buzz among audiences.
As for Kiara Advani, the actress is currently gearing up for the release of Toxic, which also stars Yash, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, and Tara Sutaria. After multiple delays, the highly anticipated action drama is slated to hit theatres on August 26, 2026.
While Kiara’s association with Kamal Aur Meena remains unconfirmed, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely for the official casting announcement, which could shape one of Bollywood’s most ambitious biographical dramas in recent years.