Ileana D’Cruz to star opposite Shahid Kapoor in ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’

Shahid Kapoor, who will next be seen as Maha Rawal Ratan Singh in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial film Padmavati, has already been roped in for a film titled Batti Gul Meter Chalu. Speculations were rife for long that the film, directed by Shree Narayan Singh of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha fame, will see Katrina Kaif as the female lead. The film is said to chronicle a common man’s struggles with electricity shortage and the sky-high prices charged.

Now as per a report in Mumbai Mirror, it is Ileana D’Cruz, who has been finalised for the role as of now. The Baadshaho actress will be reprising the role of a lawyer opposite Shahid, who plays a lawyer as well. Talking about it, Prerna Arora, who is co-producing the film with T-Series, told Mumbai Mirror, “We have only spoken to Ileana so far. It is a strong role of a lawyer with intense scenes and we are casting now.” However, the report further added that Katrina and Shraddha Kapoor remain in the queue to play Shahid’s love interest in the film.

The teaser, announcing the film’s title, was released on Diwali this. Talking about the film, Shree Narayan Singh had earlier said, “The subject of the film is very relevant to our times. Diwali makes it just the right occasion for us to shed light on a subject that needs to be discussed. We look forward to making a film that is both commercially entertaining and encourages a social conversation.” 

Batti Gul Meter Chalu, which will go on floors on January 19, is slated for a release on August 31, 2018.