Just a day after reports about Katrina Kaif's acting comeback through an OTT project were denied, a fresh report has emerged suggesting the actress could soon return to screens with a project linked to one of Bollywood's most talked-about films.

According to Filmfare, the 42-year-old actress is in talks for Chandni Bar 2, a sequel to Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2001 film Chandni Bar. 

Related: Insider dismisses Katrina Kaif's acting comeback reports

The report claims she has made it to the final cast list of the film, which is expected to be directed by Ajay Bahl.

The sequel is also said to feature Tabu, who led the original film and earned praise for her performance. 

While the makers have not officially confirmed the cast, a source quoted by the entertainment portal claimed the new film will once again explore “the red light area and crime ecosystem.”

The original Chandni Bar told a hard-hitting story about life around Mumbai’s underworld, dance bars, prostitution and gun crime. Released in September 2001, the film received critical acclaim and also performed well at the box office.

However, the sequel has already seen its share of controversy. Last year, Madhur Bhandarkar filed a complaint with the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), alleging that producer Sandeep Singh and director Ajay Bahl were using the Chandni Bar title without his permission.

The Tiger star was last seen in the film Merry Christmas, alongside Vijay Sethupathi. Since then, she has not announced any new acting projects.

Katrina welcomed her first child with Vicky Kaushal in November 2025 and has largely stayed away from public appearances.