Summary
- “Shashie sir’s work is truly something I have followed, and I have always wanted to work with him,” he said.
- “Ali and I have shared the screen before, but never quite like this, and I’m genuinely excited for audiences to see us together in an entirely new space,” she said, adding that while Fazal’s talent is something she has long admired, the two have never had the opportunity to work together in this particular capacity.
- In Fukrey, she said, their characters were more adversarial than romantic, making this collaboration feel like genuinely new territory.
Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha are one of Bollywood’s most beloved real-life couples, but their on-screen relationship has so far been limited to adversarial roles in the Fukrey franchise. That is about to change. The two have been announced as the lead pair in an upcoming untitled Delhi-set comedy, marking the first time they will share the screen as a romantic couple.
The film is directed by Shashie Vermaa and also stars Kumud Mishra. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with a theatrical release planned for April 2027.
Fazal spoke about what drew him to the project. “I’ve always believed that the best comedies come from honest characters and believable situations. The moment I read this script, I knew there was something special about it,” he said. He added that finally getting to explore a completely new dynamic with Richa on screen was part of what made the project exciting. He also credited the director as a significant draw. “Shashie sir’s work is truly something I have followed, and I have always wanted to work with him,” he said.
Chadha was equally warm in her response to the material. “What drew me in was the simplicity and authenticity of the writing. It’s funny, emotional and deeply rooted in everyday life, with a great social commentary angle to the story,” she said. She also drew a personal connection to the film’s setting, noting that the story reminded her of her school days in Jamuna Paar, Delhi, which added a layer of nostalgia to her enthusiasm.
She spoke directly about the significance of the pairing. “Ali and I have shared the screen before, but never quite like this, and I’m genuinely excited for audiences to see us together in an entirely new space,” she said, adding that while Fazal’s talent is something she has long admired, the two have never had the opportunity to work together in this particular capacity. In Fukrey, she said, their characters were more adversarial than romantic, making this collaboration feel like genuinely new territory.
Fazal and Chadha have been together as a real-life couple for several years, marrying in 2022 in a ceremony that drew widespread affection from fans and the industry alike. Their relationship has been widely admired for its warmth and mutual support, and the announcement that the two will finally collaborate as on-screen leads has been met with considerable enthusiasm online.
The film promises to be a character-driven comedy rooted in the everyday rhythms and textures of Delhi life, with the couple’s natural chemistry offering a foundation that few pairings can match before a single frame has been shot.
