Madhubala’s Biopic Delayed As Producers Rework Budget

The much-awaited biopic on legendary actress Madhubala has hit a pause. The film, which was planned as a grand period drama, is now on hold as the producers work on a new financial plan. Directed by Darlings fame Jasmeet K Reen, the film was supposed to go on floors soon, but rising production costs have brought things to a standstill.

The movie is being made by Sony Pictures, Brewing Thoughts, and Madhubala Pictures. They had planned a big-budget project with detailed sets, vintage costumes, and rich visuals. The original budget was said to be between Rs 80 to 100 crore. But according to reports, the costs became too high to recover easily during the subsequent theatrical release. A source close to the project shared that the makers are now looking for a “middle path,” a way to keep the film’s beauty and scale without going over budget.

The script of the film is already ready and is described as an emotional and respectful tribute to Madhubala‘s life. Jasmeet K Reen, who has shown her talent in portraying strong female characters, was chosen to direct the film for the same reason. A source revealed, “The team doesn’t want a film that loses money. So, they’ve cut the budget to almost half.”

Because of the delay, all talks with leading actresses who were being considered to play Madhubala have been paused for now. The team hopes that once the budget is reworked, they can restart the casting process and begin filming, hopefully by the second quarter of this year. Madhubala, also known as the Venus of Indian Cinema, was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses in Bollywood. She starred in iconic films like Mughal-e-Azam and Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. Her journey in the industry was not just about success, but also about personal struggles, which the film aims to show honestly.

The biopic is being co-produced by her sister Madhur Brij Bhushan, who said this film is her “long-time dream.” She believes her sister’s short but meaningful life deserves to be shared with the world through this film. 

Also Read: Bollywood legend late Madhubala’s biopic to be made soon