The life of one of Indian cinema’s most iconic and enigmatic stars, Meena Kumari, is all set to be brought to the big screen—and the buzz just got stronger. According to industry reports, actor Kiara Advani has been approached to step into the legendary actor’s shoes in what is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious biopics in recent memory.
If confirmed, this would mark Kiara’s return to cinema after her maternity break—making the project even more special for the actor and her fans. Known for her nuanced performances in Shershaah, Guilty, and Satyaprem Ki Katha, Kiara’s potential casting in this emotionally layered role has already sparked conversations in industry circles.
The biopic is being helmed on a grand scale, backed by filmmaker Sidharth P Malhotra in collaboration with music giant Saregama and the Amrohi family. The intent is clear: to honour the legacy of a woman who was as much a poet as a performer, and whose life off-screen was marked by as much drama and melancholy as her roles on screen.
Sources close to the development told Pinkvilla that the creative team behind the film believes Kiara possesses the grace, sensitivity, and emotional depth required to portray Meena Kumari. The script has reportedly been narrated to her, and while Kiara is said to have responded positively, she is yet to officially come on board. “The makers have immense faith in Kiara’s ability to embody the pain, elegance, and inner strength that defined Meena Kumari,” a source revealed.
The film also seeks to portray the deeply complex relationship between Meena Kumari and filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, her former husband and a towering figure in Indian cinema. Their love story—filled with passion, heartbreak, estrangement, and lingering devotion—remains one of the most discussed and dissected chapters in Bollywood’s history. The chemistry between the actors playing Meena and Kamal will be pivotal in doing justice to this poignant narrative thread.
What sets this biopic apart is its access to authentic archival material and the blessing of the Amrohi family, which ensures the storytelling will stay rooted in truth while offering cinematic grandeur. The film is not just a tribute to a screen icon but an attempt to understand the woman behind the poetry, the sorrow behind the smile, and the fragility behind the fame.
Meanwhile, Kiara Advani’s calendar is already packed with major projects. She is part of War 2, a high-octane actioner alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, and Toxic, another big-ticket film generating early buzz. The Meena Kumari biopic, if finalized, would allow her to pivot toward more intense, character-driven storytelling—offering a striking contrast to her action-packed upcoming roles.
As anticipation builds, fans and cinephiles alike wait eagerly for an official announcement. If Kiara does sign on, it could very well be a career-defining performance in a film that revisits the golden era of Bollywood through the eyes of one of its most tragic and celebrated stars.
By Sulagna Kar
