Mumbai: South star Sreeleela has quietly moved into a major Hindi film role after reports say she replaced Ananya Panday in Choomantar. The fairy-tale romance is currently casting Abhay Verma opposite Sreeleela, and the producers are reportedly pleased with the new choice following a test photoshoot by the actress. The move is the most recent indication that Sreeleela is rapidly advancing in the Bollywood despite the fact that her Hindi debut is yet to hit the theatres.
Why Ananya left and how Sreeleela stepped in
Choomantar was initially scheduled to begin shooting in January 2026 featuring Ananya Panday as the female lead. When schedules were confirmed it was discovered that they conflicted with the dates of Ananya who was currently in the midst of shooting Call Me Bae 2. However, when the dates overlapped, Ananya moved out of Choomantar to give her other project the honour it deserved. The producers moved quickly to restructure the cast and approached Sreeleela, who agreed to join. The actress just finished a test photoshoot and the team is said to be satisfied with the outcome.
What Choomantar promises
Choomantar is a fantasy romantic drama and its lead male character will be played by Abhay Verma. Sreeleela on board gives the film a new face that is already making waves in the Hindi cinema. The makers have also brought Gujarati star Janki Bodiwala, known for her role in Vash, to join the ensemble. The project is expected to be a combination of fanciful storytelling and high-level romanticism, and the new-casting decisions imply that the team desires the star power and the new talents.
Sreeleela’s fast rising Bollywood journey
Sreeleela is not waiting around. Her Hindi film debut, Tu Meri Zindagi Hai with Kartik Aaryan has not been released yet, but she already has multiple projects piled up. She had signed Diler with Maddock Films and will be cast opposite Ibrahim Ali Khan in the film which is still in production. Choomantar adds another prominent credit to her growing list. Even though her recent run in Tollywood has not been ideal, she is pushing forward with confidence and picking roles that give her range and visibility.
Such casting alterations are not unusual in cases where occupied actors have to do several movies. For Sreeleela, replacing an established face is a big opportunity to expand her footprint in Hindi cinema. For Choomantar, bringing in a young, motivated actress who has already done promotional work and test shoots helps the production keep momentum. The inclusion of Janki Bodiwala also makes the film have regional appeal.
Timeline to watch
The Choomantar team had eyed January 2026 for the start of filming. Ananya dropped out due to the date clash, and the producers acted quickly to cast and stick within schedule. Fans should look out for official announcements about the shooting dates, the full cast list, and early promotional material once principal photography gets under way.
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