Mumbai: Kareena Kapoor Khan is reportedly set to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production house on a new film, more than two decades after the actor and filmmaker first discussed working together.

According to a Filmfare report, Bhansali will produce the untitled film, and Aatish Kapadia will direct it. Kapadia is known for television comedies including Khichdi, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby. The plot, supporting cast, and filming details have not yet been announced.

The project is expected to enter pre production after Bhansali completes Love & War, his current directorial starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Bhansali is expected to serve as producer rather than director on the Kareena project.

The reported collaboration follows several attempts by Kapoor and Bhansali to work together. Their association dates back to before Kapoor made her Hindi film debut in Refugee in 2000. Reports over the years have said Bhansali had considered or approached her for the role of Nandini in his 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which eventually starred Aishwarya Rai alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. Kapoor has previously said she did not take up the film because she was young and was planning to study abroad.

Their most prominent later attempt came with Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela. Kapoor was initially set to star opposite Ranveer Singh, and Bhansali publicly confirmed the pairing at the time. The collaboration ended before filming, with reports citing contractual and scheduling issues. Deepika Padukone subsequently took the role of Leela in the 2013 film.

The new project would therefore mark the first completed film association between Kapoor and Bhansali if it proceeds as reported, although this time Bhansali would be involved as producer and Kapadia would direct.

Kapoor was most recently seen in Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra, which was released on September 18. The crime thriller, inspired by true events and centred on questions of crime, justice and punishment, stars Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran as police officers and marked their first on screen collaboration.

Further details about Kapoor’s Bhansali Productions project, including its title, remaining cast and production schedule, are awaited.