Ananya Panday, who is gearing up for next film with Kartik Aaryan Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, has reportedly stepped away from romantic fantasy drama Choomantar. The film also starred Abhay Varma
in the lead. While the production house has not released an official statement yet, multiple sources suggest that Ananya is no longer part of the film’s cast lineup.
Times Now reported that Ananya exited Choomantar due to scheduling issues with Call Me Bae 2. “The team of Choomantar is aiming to begin filming in January 2026. That clashes with Call Me Bae 2, which recently went on floors. So, Ananya and the makers of Choomantar decided to part ways, with the promise of working soon,” a source told Mid-Day. As per the report, Vash 2 actress Janki Bodiwala and Sreeleela might lead the film with Abhay.
Ananya Panday And Abhay Verma To Star In Rom-Com Choomantar?
Earlier, PeepingMoon reported that Abhay Verma will return to Maddock Films to join hands with Ananya Panday for a romantic drama titled Choomantar. If reports are to be believed, the sci-fi romance will go on floors by the end of 2025, with pre-production starting as early as September. More details about the project and other cast members are currently under wraps. If the reports are true, it will mark Abhay Verma’s return to Maddock and Ananya Panday’s first-ever collaboration with the banner.
About Call Me Bae 2
In September, as Call me Bae clocked 1 year, Ananya Panday shared a post in which she revealed that they will begin shooting for Call Me Bae season 2 ‘super soon.’ Now, Mid Day has reported that the new season will go on floors in November! A source told the portal, “Call Me Bae is one of the most successful shows for both Prime Video India and Dharmatic Entertainment. The prep on the second season had begun soon after the show dropped last year. In a few weeks, the cast will face the camera.”
Collin D’Cunha, who directed the first season, will once again return to the director’s chair for the second season. Meanwhile, the report also states that much of the original cast, including Gurfateh Pirzada, Vihaan Samat, Muskkan Jaferi, and Niharika Lyra Dutt, will reprise their roles. “Hashtag Behencode found resonance with the female audience, and the makers want to explore it further. The first part featured a #MeToo track. The upcoming edition too will carry an empowering message, delivered in the show’s signature breezy tone,” the source told Mid Day.
Abhay Verma’s work front
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old actor has a jam-packed Bollywood slate ahead. Abhay has wrapped up shooting for an untitled project directed by Shujaat Saudagar. The highly anticipated film co-stars Shanaya Kapoor as the female lead. If the reports are true, it will mark Abhay Verma’s return to Maddock and Ananya Panday’s first-ever collaboration with the banner. He is also set to appear alongside Nitanshi Goel in the sequel to the 2017 film Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana. The film is being directed by Ratna Sinha and produced by Benaras Media. However, his most anticipated role is in the action-thriller King. Directed by Siddharth Anand, Abhay will share screen space with Bollywood heavyweights Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Bobby Deol, Arshad Warsi, Anil Kapoor, and Abhishek Bachchan. Slated for a 2026 release, King has already generated significant buzz for its ensemble cast and high-octane plot.
