One of Bollywood's most talked-about films that never happened may be getting a second life. Alia Bhatt and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali are reportedly in talks to revive Inshallah, the romance that was announced in 2019 and then shelved, according to a Mid-day report published on October 5.

Neither Alia nor Bhansali has confirmed the report, and there has been no official announcement. Here is what has been reported so far, and what remains open.

What the Mid-day report says

Mid-day reports that the director and actor have begun conversations about revisiting the long-stalled project. Crucially, the report says this would not be the same film that was announced seven years ago.

"It's not being looked at as the same film that was announced years ago. The core story remains the same, but the material will be reworked and given a fresh spin," a source told Mid-day.

NDTV, summarising the report, says the basic story is expected to remain, while the script and material will be reworked. The Times of India and News18 also carried the report, attributing it to Mid-day.

Why Inshallah was shelved in 2019

Inshallah was originally announced in 2019 with Salman Khan as the male lead opposite Alia. Mid-day says the film was shelved following creative differences between the superstar and Bhansali, and NDTV reports that Salman reportedly walked out just days before the shoot was scheduled to begin.

After Inshallah stalled, Bhansali and Alia made Gangubai Kathiawadi together instead. That film became a milestone in Alia's career, and she won a National Award for her performance, as NDTV notes.

Who could play the male lead?

This is where the report is most cautious. There had been speculation earlier this year that Shah Rukh Khan could step into the role originally planned for Salman, NDTV says, but according to the report no actor has been locked in, and the decision will be taken only after Bhansali is happy with the final script.

A source quoted in the report said: "No casting gets locked on a Bhansali film without the script being finalised. Salman is occupied with Raj-DK's film while Shah Rukh hasn't decided his next after King. It's also possible that the story will seek a younger actor."

In other words, any names currently circulating online are speculation. Fans should wait for an official word from Bhansali Productions before treating any casting as settled.

Love & War comes first

For now, both Alia and Bhansali are focused on Love & War, which brings Alia together with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. According to NDTV, the makers recently unveiled character posters of the three leads, and the film is scheduled to release in theatres on January 21, 2027.

Love & War also marks Bhansali's reunion with Ranbir after Saawariya in 2007, and Alia's return to the filmmaker after Gangubai Kathiawadi, NDTV notes.

If the Inshallah conversations do turn into a film, it would be Alia's third project with Bhansali after Gangubai Kathiawadi and Love & War. Reports of this kind can change shape before anything reaches the floor, though. So this is best read as an early, unconfirmed development rather than a green light.

Inshallah has remained a point of curiosity for fans since 2019, partly because it was meant to pair Alia with Salman for the first time and partly because of how suddenly it was called off. A reworked version led by Alia, with the core story intact but a fresh treatment, would give Bhansali a chance to return to an idea he clearly did not let go of.

Until there is an announcement, the safest summary is this: according to Mid-day's sources, the two are talking, the script would be reworked, and no co-star has been finalised.

FAQ

Is Inshallah officially back?

No. Mid-day reports that Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are in talks to revive the film, but neither has confirmed it and no official announcement has been made.

Will Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan star in Inshallah?

According to the report, no male lead has been locked. A source said casting will be decided only after the script is finalised, and that the story may even seek a younger actor.

When does Love & War release?

Love & War, starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, is scheduled to release in theatres on January 21, 2027.

Cover photo: Gabriel Hutchinson / WikiPortraits / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0