Aneet Padda Not Cast in Madhubala Biopic, YRF Clarifies Amid Viral Reports

Recent reports claiming that actor Aneet Padda has been cast to portray legendary screen icon Madhubala in an upcoming biographical film have been officially dismissed.

A spokesperson for Yash Raj Films (YRF) Talent, which manages Padda, clarified on Tuesday that the reports circulating on social media and entertainment portals are inaccurate.

“It’s untrue,” the spokesperson said, responding to speculation that the Saiyaara actor had been finalised for the role.

The clarification comes after several outlets cited unnamed sources claiming that Padda had been signed to play the iconic actor in a film reportedly directed by Jasmeet K. Reen, best known for Darlings.

The Madhubala Biopic Project

A biographical film on Madhubala has been in development for some time. The project was announced in March 2024 by Sony Pictures International Productions and is being produced in collaboration with Brewing Thoughts Pvt Ltd and Madhubala Ventures.

The latter banner is headed by Madhubala’s younger sister Madhur Brij Bhushan along with Arvind Kumar Malviya. Reen has been attached to direct the film, though the cast has not yet been officially announced.

Over the years, multiple actors have been linked to the role in media speculation. At one point, Kiara Advani was reportedly considered, but those claims were also denied by sources close to the production.

Madhubala’s Enduring Legacy

Madhubala remains one of the most celebrated figures of Hindi cinema’s golden era. Her career included several classic films such as Mr & Mrs 55, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Kala Pani, and Howrah Bridge.

Her most iconic performance came as Anarkali in Mughal‑e‑Azam (1960), where she starred alongside Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor. Widely remembered for her screen presence and beauty, Madhubala remains an enduring symbol of classic Indian cinema.

She passed away in 1969 at the age of 36.

Aneet Padda’s Rising Career

Padda, who gained widespread recognition after starring in the 2025 musical romance Saiyaara, has quickly emerged as one of the industry’s promising young actors. The film, directed by Mohit Suri, featured her opposite Ahaan Panday and marked her breakthrough in mainstream cinema.

Before that, she appeared in a small role in Salaam Venky (2022) and made her OTT debut with the series Big Girls Don’t Cry in 2024.

The actor is now confirmed to headline Shakti Shalini, part of producer Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 24.

Casting for Biopic Still Unannounced

Despite persistent speculation about who will portray Madhubala on screen, the makers have yet to reveal an official lead actor for the project. For now, industry representatives have reiterated that reports linking Aneet Padda to the film are inaccurate.

An official casting announcement is expected once the production team finalizes the lineup.