Sara Arjun to Play Madhubala in Biopic Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Report

Sara Arjun is reportedly set to headline the long-delayed Madhubala biopic. The film is expected to go on floors in July 2026 as a direct-to-streaming release.

Sara Arjun has been in the limelight after the success of the Dhurandhar franchise, where she played Yalina Jamali. Now, the young actor is once again making headlines, this time for reportedly stepping into the role of one of Indian cinema’s most remembered stars, Madhubala.

According to reports, Sara Arjun has been finalised for the upcoming Madhubala biopic, which will be backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali as producer. The film is expected to begin shooting in July 2026.

Direction

The project had been in development for years and faced multiple delays, largely due to budget-related issues. Reports say the film moved forward after Bhansali came on board as producer. It will be directed by Jasmeet K Reen, known for directing Darlings which starred Alia Bhatt. 

Career

For Sara Arjun, this will be a big step in her career. After Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge, she is now set to lead a project based on one of the the biggest names in Hindi cinema. 

The film is expected to explore both Madhubala’s film journey and personal life. Reports say the story will cover her relationship with Dilip Kumar, her marriage to Kishore Kumar, and the challenges she faced before her death at the age of 36.

Cast

Casting for the roles of Dilip Kumar and Kishore Kumar is reportedly still underway. Earlier, Kiara Advani was said to be in talks for the role, but the plans did not materialise.

With the film finally moving ahead, attention will now be on how Sara Arjun brings Madhubala’s story to the screen.