In the entertainment world, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year, packed with new releases that promise path-breaking storytelling, bold narratives, stellar casts and fresh creative energy. While
new on-screen pairings debut every year, only a handful manage to create lasting buzz. The reasons are their undeniable chemistry, strong screen presence, off-screen camaraderie, and performances that strike a chord with audiences.
From musical dramas to cross-industry collaborations, here’s a look at the fresh duos already generating major excitement.
Ananya Panday & Lakshya
Ananya Panday and Lakshya team up for Dharma Productions’ youthful romantic drama Chand Mera Dil. Announced in 2024, the film is finally set to hit theatres in April 2026. At the time of the announcement, Karan Johar described it as an “intense and passionate love story.”
With Lakshya’s charming screen presence paired with Ananya’s evolving emotional depth, this fresh pairing promises to deliver one of the most relatable modern romances to watch out for.
Mrunal Thakur & Siddhant Chaturvedi
Mrunal Thakur and Siddhant Chaturvedi come together to headline the upcoming romantic drama Do Deewane Seher Mein. Directed by Ravi Udyawar and produced by Sajay Leela Bhansali, the film is expected to be a poetic love story. The film is slated for a Valentine’s week release on February 20.
Kartik Aaryan & Sreeleela
Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela come together for the first time in Anurag Basu’s upcoming musical drama. Kartik’s effortless charm paired with Sreeleela’s versatile screen presence adds fresh energy to the film.
Aaishvary Thackeray & Sharvari Wagh
Aaishvary Thackeray is set to star opposite Sharvari Wagh in an upcoming yet-to-be-titled Yash Raj Films action-romance, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Aaishvary will be seen in a villainous role. With Aaishvary’s intense screen presence and Sharvari’s rising popularity, this fresh duo is already emerging as one of the most exciting new on-screen combinations to watch out for.
Varun Dhawan & Medha Rana
Medha Rana makes her film debut opposite Varun Dhawan in the much-awaited film Border 2. Varun stepping into a never-tried-before role has already created strong buzz, and Medha joining him adds a fresh energy that makes the pairing even more exciting to watch.
Ram Charan & Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor joins hands with Ram Charan to star in Telugu sports action drama Peddi. The film also marks Janhvi’s return to Telugu cinema. Janhvi’s charishma and Ram Charan’s intense screen presence makes it one of the most anticipated cross-industry pairing of the year.
Imran Khan & Bhumi Pednekar
Imran Khan marks his much-awaited return with Bhumi Pednekar in a romantic comedy directed by Danish Aslam. Now in post-production, the film is set for an early 2026 OTT release and is expected to mix nostalgic charm with a fresh, modern take.
Keerthy Suresh & Vijay Deverakonda
Keerthy Suresh and Vijay Deverakonda reunite on screen as a lead pair for the first time in a film directed by Ravi Kiran Kola. After their earlier collaboration in Mahanati, the duo’s fresh pairing has already created a buzz among fans.
Shanaya Kapoor & Adarsh Gourav
Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav come together in Tu Yaa Main, a film that blends edgy music with gripping storytelling. This fresh pairing explores a bold, new-age cinematic space and is already generating curiosity.
