Why Sanjay Leela Bhansali is Trending in India: Inshallah Revival Talks with Alia Bhatt

Why Sanjay Leela Bhansali is Trending

In early October 2026, searches for the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali spiked by 400% in India, driven by industry reports that he and Alia Bhatt are discussing a revival of the long‑shelved romantic drama Inshallah. The buzz reflects both the nostalgia for the original 2019 announcement and curiosity about how the project might evolve.

Background of the Shelved Inshallah Project

The film was first unveiled in 2019 as a high‑profile collaboration between Bhansali, Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt. According to the Times of India report, the project never moved forward after Salman Khan’s exit and the ensuing creative differences with Bhansali (source). Bhansali subsequently channeled his energy into other successes such as Gangubai Kathiawadi and Padmaavat, while Alia Bhatt became a frequent collaborator.

Current Talks and Script‑First Approach

Recent coverage indicates that Bhansali and Bhatt are now exploring a substantially reworked version of Inshallah. Rather than simply swapping the male lead, they intend to lock the screenplay first and then decide on casting (source). This approach aligns with Bhansali’s habit of prioritising script and character arcs before finalising his ensemble, potentially giving the story a contemporary treatment.

Alia Bhatt’s Ongoing Commitments

While the revival talks progress, Alia Bhatt’s slate includes the action film Alpha (released July 2026), the post‑production period drama Love & War (scheduled for January 2027), and the upcoming Tumbbad 2 with Sohum Shah and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Her involvement in Inshallah would mark another major partnership after Gangubai Kathiawadi and Love & War.

What the Trend Data Shows

Google Trends data for the term “sanjay leela bhansali” in India over the past 24 hours recorded a 400% growth in interest, with roughly 500 approximate searches (source). This signal confirms heightened public curiosity but does not verify the truth of the news claims.