Nag Ashwin Reignites Talks with Sai Pallavi for Highly Anticipated Woman-Led Film

In a significant development in the Indian film industry, director Nag Ashwin is said to be reconsidering his original choice, Sai Pallavi, for the lead role in his highly anticipated woman-centric action drama. This comes as Ashwin's other major project, the mythological sequel Kalki 2, has faced casting changes in the wake of Deepika Padukone's dramatic exit from the film.

With the Kalki 2 casting situation still uncertain, Ashwin is now reportedly prioritizing the progress of his female-led film, which had been simmering on the backburner for most of 2025. According to industry sources, the filmmaker has reopened discussions with Pallavi, who was widely regarded as his first choice for the role.

However, the timing of this project remains tricky, as Alia Bhatt, who was previously in advanced talks for the film, has reportedly allocated bulk dates to another upcoming project, Chamunda, starting in March 2026. This could potentially narrow the window for Bhatt's involvement in Ashwin's film.

Meanwhile, Pallavi is currently committed to the two-part Ramayana franchise, and is expected to complete work on the second installment only by mid-2026. If the schedules align, she may be able to step into Ashwin's film before he shifts his focus to Kalki 2.

Both Ashwin and Pallavi have enjoyed notable success in recent years. Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Padukone, became one of the biggest spectacles in Indian cinema. Pallavi, on the other hand, has steadily built a pan-India fan base with acclaimed performances in films like Gargi and Shyam Singha Roy.