Rasha Thadani, actress Raveena Tandon’s daughter, made her debut in Indian cinema with the film Azad. As the actress gears up for more cinematic ventures, it was expected that she might headline director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Bollywood debut film.

However, Pinkvilla has exclusively learned that the young actress has declined to headline the movie despite being interested in the script.

According to a close source, Rasha Thadani was among the first choices to star in the romantic drama film. However, due to her upcoming projects, her busy schedule has forced her to opt out of the project directed by Pellissery and produced by Hansal Mehta.

The source explained, “Rasha was the top contender for Hansal Mehta and Lijo Jose Pellissery’s upcoming romantic drama. The film, which was announced in October, has been the talk of the town, and while Rasha was approached by the makers, unfortunately there is a date clash due to which she is not able to take on a script she truly loved.”

Moreover, the source added that the shoot for her next release, Laikey Laikaa, has been delayed, requiring her to spend even more time completing her portions. After wrapping up the film, Rasha will begin work on her South debut, co-starring with Mahesh Babu’s nephew Jaya Krishna Ghattamaneni.

For those unaware, director Lijo Jose Pellissery announced his Bollywood debut a couple of months ago. After helming the Mohanlal-starrer Malaikottai Vaaliban, the filmmaker will now direct a romantic drama co-produced by himself and Hansal Mehta under the banners Amen Movie Monastery and True Story Films.

Written by LJP and Karan Vyas, the movie is touted to be a lyrical exploration of love, longing, and the fragile complexities of human connection. The romantic drama will have music composed by AR Rahman.

While the cast is yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that either Rajkumar Hirani’s son Vir Hirani or late Shashi Kapoor’s grandson and actor Zahan Kapoor may play the lead.

Rasha Thadani’s upcoming films

After making her debut in Azad, Rasha Thadani will next appear in Laikey Laikaa, co-starring Munjya fame Abhay Verma, which is touted to be a romantic film.

Additionally, she will soon make her debut in Telugu cinema with the tentatively titled AB4, directed by RX100 fame Ajay Bhupathi and presented by Kalki 2898 AD producer Ashwini Dutt.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walked on the red carpet last night at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025. She also engaged in a brief conversation with Hollywood actress, Dakota Johnson. But the highlight was her opening day session at the film festival. In an insightful conversation, the Ponniyin Selvan: I actress talked about how she doesn’t get insecure about doing less films and prioritizing her family.

Talking about how motherhood defines her life as much as her career, Aishwarya said, “I’m so busy taking care of Aaradhya, being with Abhishek, that I don’t get insecure if I don’t sign a film. Insecurities have never been a driving force for me.”

She further explained, “I don’t get insecure. I think that’s a very, very, very real aspect of who I am. Insecurities have never been a driving force, which a lot of the voices around can try and get in your head and can sometimes propel choices. That is something that has never been me. That’s a clarity also.” 

Aishwarya recalled what Mani Ratnam had told her before signing for her debut film, Iruvar. She said, “All my career choices, unknowingly but now in retrospect, I displayed from the beginning, because I mean if I came in from a pageant it was about ‘what’s the big launch when I come into movies’. And I remember Mani Ratnam telling me, ‘Iruvar is not really a launch film. It’s a movie. It’s a story. It’s not about launching Aishwarya.’ And I was like ‘Wow, that’s the movie that I want to do.’ Because that’s the movie that I want to be a part of.” 

She also reminisced post-Devdas anticipation among the audience about her next movie. She said, “I remember after Devdas, it felt like a crescendo, right? People were like, ‘So now what’s the next big film after that?’ Because how much bigger than Devdas can it become? And I did Chokher Bali with Rituparno Ghosh. I was like, ‘Wow! What a beautiful story. That’s the movie I want to do.’ So, in that sense, it isn’t the predictability. Or probably, that is the path one needs to take, I don’t know. But having come thus far in my journey, I’m grateful. I have all your love, I have all your support, I have the industry of talents.”

The actress credited Mani Ratnam for her formatting years. “I was very fortunate to work with my guru. I recognised that here was where I’d get an opportunity to learn a craft I wasn’t trained for,” Aishwarya said. She concluded her point by saying, “My attitude is still one of humility. I feel, ‘oh my God, I haven’t touched the tip of the iceberg’. There is so much to do in the world of artistry and cinema.

Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.