Madhubala biopic put on hold; Makers rework budget plans - Here’s what we know

The much-anticipated biopic on legendary actress Madhubala has hit a temporary roadblock. Directed by Jasmeet K Reen, who earned acclaim with her 2022 film Darlings, the film’s production has been put on hold due to budgetary constraints, even though the script is reportedly complete.

High Budget Causes a Pause
Initially envisioned as a lavish period drama, the film was set to portray the grandeur of Madhubala’s life and era, with a projected budget of Rs 80 to Rs 100 crore. However, as per News 18 reports, the production team — comprising Sony Pictures International Productions, Brewing Thoughts Pvt. Ltd., and Madhubala Pictures — found that the high costs related to period detailing, elaborate sets, and costumes could make it difficult to recover the investment. Reportedly the recovery math didn’t add up and the budget had to be re-evaluated.

Searching for a Middle Ground
Reportedly, the team is now working hard to redesign the financial plan without compromising on the essence of the story. “The goal is to honour Madhubala’s legacy while keeping the project financially viable. The budget is now being slashed to almost half,” said a source. As a result, casting discussions with top female actors — previously underway — have been temporarily paused until the revised plan is finalised.
Despite the financial pause, the spirit behind the project remains strong. Reportedly, the team is hopeful about taking the film on floors by the second quarter of this year, once the numbers make sense.


The biopic aims to highlight her iconic performances and stardom and also to shed light on her personal struggles and challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry.