The big casting coup
Bollywood’s newest launch vehicle is generating serious buzz, and now there’s a fresh name in the mix. Pragati Srivastava has reportedly bagged the parallel lead in Naomika Saran’s debut film, the Maddock Films romantic drama starring Vedang Raina opposite Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna’s granddaughter.
Industry insiders say the casting came together while Srivastava was deep in prep for Prakash Jha’s upcoming political drama Janaadesh, where she plays the female lead opposite Ishwak Singh and Rahul Bose. The work she put into that role apparently caught the attention of the Janaadesh team and worked in her favour during the casting process for this film.
“Pragati was deep into Janaadesh when conversations for this film began. The work she had put in for the political drama worked in her favour during the casting process,” a source close to the production revealed.
Star-studded debut vehicle
Naomika Saran, the granddaughter of legendary actress Dimple Kapadia and late icon Rajesh Khanna, is set to make her big-screen debut in this yet-untitled romantic drama. She’ll be starring opposite Vedang Raina, who made heads turn with his performance in the 2024 film Jigra.
The film marks a major moment for the Kapadia-Khanna family legacy, with the industry closely watching every move as the project gets ready for production. Rinke Khanna’s daughter stepping into the spotlight has already generated significant curiosity among fans and trade watchers alike.
Maddock Films, known for backing fresh talent alongside established stars, seems to be pulling out all stops for this launch. With Srivastava joining the cast as the parallel lead, the film is shaping up to be a multi-layered romantic drama with strong performances expected from its young cast.
From political drama to romance
For Pragati Srivastava, this project represents a significant career leap. The actress has been quietly building her craft, and her preparation for Prakash Jha’s Janaadesh appears to have opened unexpected doors. Jha’s political dramas are known for demanding serious acting chops, and that groundwork seems to have impressed the makers of this romantic film.
While details about Srivastava’s character remain under wraps, sources suggest her role will be substantial and integral to the narrative. The parallel lead status indicates she won’t just be a supporting act but a key player in the story’s romantic dynamics.
With casting now locked for the three leads, all eyes are on Maddock Films to reveal more about the project’s title, director, and shoot schedule. For now, Bollywood’s newest talent pool just got a little more interesting.