Two of Bollywood’s most bankable names have never worked together — until now. Pinkvilla has exclusively learnt that Saif Ali Khan and Kiara Advani will headline Kanika Dhillon’s directorial debut, produced by Excel Entertainment, marking their first-ever on-screen pairing.

What We Know So Far on Saif Ali Khan and Kiara Advani ?

The project is currently in scripting, with the makers eyeing a shoot start later this year. A source close to the film revealed it’s “an intense thriller with a supernatural element,” with the script being shaped specifically around Saif and Kiara. Dhillon, Excel Entertainment, and the writing team have reportedly been developing the story for a long time before finally locking the cast.

Quick Facts	Details
Lead Actors	Saif Ali Khan, Kiara Advani
Director	Kanika Dhillon (directorial debut)
Production House	Excel Entertainment
Genre	Supernatural thriller
Status	Script development stage
Floors	Expected later in 2026

Why This Pairing Matters

Kanika Dhillon isn’t stepping into direction blind — she’s one of Hindi cinema’s sharpest writers, known for character-driven scripts like Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba, and Judgementall Hai Kya. Her flair for unconventional, twisty narratives makes a supernatural thriller feel like a natural next chapter, especially with her own production banner Kathha Pictures already backing hits like Do Patti.

Pair that sensibility with Saif’s knack for brooding, layered roles and Kiara’s growing command over intense, genre-bending parts, and this project has all the ingredients of an unpredictable watch. Curious about Kiara’s journey to this point in her career? Our profile on Kiara Advani’s rise in Bollywood has the full picture. For more on her body of work, Wikipedia’s Kiara Advani page offers a detailed filmography.