As Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, famous for his romantic cinematic stories, is quietly gearing up for another emotional drama, most of the attention at the moment is around who will lead it.

On Valentine’s Day 2026, the 54-year old director and Sajid Ali announced Heer Ranjha, a cinematic adaptation of the classic Punjabi folk tale. 

The project marks their reunion with producer Ektaa Kapoor after Laila Majnu, which later gained a loyal following.

As pre-production moves ahead, speculation about casting has gathered pace.

According to Mid-Day, Sara Arjun is among the strongest contenders for the female lead. The actor drew attention in 2025 with her role in Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar.

A source told the portal, “The team is looking for a relatively fresh face. After ‘Dhurandhar’, Sara has emerged as one of the most promising young actors today. She is among the strongest names being evaluated for Heer."

For the male lead, Rohit Saraf’s name has been circulating, though there has been no official confirmation. The casting process is still underway.

Speaking earlier about the film, Imtiaz Ali said, “Heer Ranjha has its own world and rhythm, it speaks the love language of this generation while staying rooted in something eternal. Collaborating with Ektaa again feels like a natural continuation of a shared emotional language."

Ektaa Kapoor added, “They have the rare ability to capture love with honesty and depth. While ‘Laila Majnu’ found its audience over time, and became a cult classic! Heer Ranjha is a love story that aims to transcend time and emotions.”