Reports are circulating that Shraddha Kapoor may no longer be involved in Ekta Kapoor’s upcoming thriller film. However, filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve, who is set to direct the movie, has attempted to downplay the rumors. He stated, “These are all rumors. Everything is a rumor,” when asked about Shraddha’s possible exit. While he did not confirm or deny her withdrawal, he did mention, “Right now, all I can say is that I’m finishing Rakt Brahmand. I am working on my next. That’s it.”
There have been claims that Shraddha requested a fee of ₹17 crores, along with a share of the film’s profits, positioning her among Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses. However, recent reports indicate that Ekta Kapoor considered this amount excessive, particularly given the difficulties faced by women-led films at the box office.
As a result, the film’s budget may have been affected, prompting the producers to look for a new leading actress. They are reportedly in discussions with several top stars to take on the role.
Meanwhile, Shraddha is exploring various projects and is in talks with producers Dinesh Vijan, Boney Kapoor, and Bhushan Kumar. An official announcement regarding her next project is expected within the next two months.
On the other hand, Rahi Anil Barve is currently focused on his upcoming web series, Rakt Brahmand, which features Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Ali Fazal. Filming is scheduled to begin next month in Mumbai after some delays due to financial challenges. Barve plans to shift his attention to Ekta’s thriller once he wraps up this project.
