Manish Malhotra's 'Meena Kumari' biopic starring Kriti Sanon delayed again, now set for 2025 release: Report

In 2023, the exciting news broke that celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra would be stepping into the director’s chair for a biopic based on the life of the legendary actress Meena Kumari. Later that year, Malhotra confirmed the development and revealed that he was diligently working on the script. It was reported that Kriti Sanon would be playing the titular role in this highly anticipated movie. However, recent reports indicate that the shooting, which was scheduled to begin in October this year, has been postponed to 2025.

According to a report from Mid-day, Manish Malhotra’s directorial debut, showcasing the life of Meena Kumari and reportedly starring Kriti Sanon, was initially set to go on floors in October 2024 but has now been delayed to 2025. Also few reports from media mentioned that, "The material will be vetted by multiple script doctors before it goes into filming.” This delay, while unexpected, might prove to be beneficial for the period drama, as it allows the team more time for meticulous pre-production planning. 

Recreating the iconic costumes of Meena Kumari, a legendary figure in the Hindi film industry, is no small feat and requires considerable time and effort. 

If reports are to be belived it will most likely roll in the first half of 2025. Interestingly, this isn't the first time the movie has faced delays. It was originally supposed to commence filming in October 2023 but was pushed back by a year.

Meanwhile, Kriti Sanon has had a remarkable year at the movies. Her rom-com 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' captivated audiences, earning her widespread acclaim for her role as SIFRA, a robot, and for her on-screen chemistry with Shahid Kapoor. She also starred in Crew, playing an air hostess alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu. This heist comedy received immense praise and proved to be a commercial hit.

Kriti’s next project, the mystery thriller Do Patti, will see her sharing the screen with Kajol. This Netflix release is particularly significant for Kriti as it marks her debut as a producer under her banner, Blue Butterfly Films.  

Fans eagerly await more updates on the biopic and are hopeful that the additional time for preparation will contribute to an even more spectacular portrayal of Meena Kumari’s life and legacy.