Bollywood is gearing up for a huge box office battle this Christmas as two eagerly awaited movies are ready to clash: Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela’s as-yet-untitled romantic epic and Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh’s action-packed spy thriller Alpha.
After weeks of anticipation and rumor, the launch date of Kartik and Sreeleela’s next romantic movie has finally been announced, and fans are overjoyed. Directed by acclaimed director Anurag Basu and produced by Bhushan Kumar under the T-Series flag, this as-yet-untitled film is now officially scheduled for release in cinemas on December 25, 2025, a holiday slot traditionally commanding big footfalls at theaters across the country.
A New Jodi with Big Ambitions
The movie is the first-time association of Kartik Aaryan with director Anurag Basu, a director famous for his offbeat storytelling style that’s a mix of fantasy, emotional depth, and visualizing panache. It’s also the Hindi cinema debut of Sreeleela, a new talent of South Indian cinema, who has stunned audiences with her dynamism and presence on screen.
Since the news of this casting broke, there has been constant buzz building up. A few peeks from the sets had previously gone viral on social media, where Kartik had appeared with a bearded look and enjoyed a warm on-screen chemistry with Sreeleela. These small appetizers were sufficient to leave the fans in a tizzy, waiting to see this new pair in an outright romantic tale.
While plot information is being kept extremely close to the vest, it’s reported that the movie is being conceptualized as a musical romance, an ideal genre that works right up Anurag Basu’s alley. Reputed for blending heart-stirring music and character-driven emotionalism, Basu is set to offer yet another cinematic experience that’s as heartfelt as it is visually breathtaking. The film is said to be a big-budget, big-screen production, with visuals and music trimmed to fit the sweep of the holiday release season.
From Diwali to Christmas: The Path to an Ideal Release Date
Interestingly, the movie initially had the release date set for Diwali 2025, which could have coincided with Maddock Films’ highly discussed project, Thama. With production delays and the team wanting to give themselves time to get a neat final product, the release date was shifted to Christmas 2025. This change has only served to build expectations, particularly as the December slot now promises a high-voltage box office showdown.
Battle of the Titans: Action and Romance
With its new release date, Kartik and Sreeleela’s love story is poised to run into Alpha, a rough-around-the-edges, high-octane spy actioner headed by Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh. Alpha forms a part of YRF’s growing spy universe and is likely to boast intense action scenes, strong female protagonists, and an exciting plotline quite different from the musical and romantic feel of Kartik’s film.
Though the genres are different, both the films are going for the same holiday crowd, which might divide the footfalls but also generate huge interest and buzz within the industry and among the buffs. It’s an old case of opposites meeting at the box office: action and romance, intensity and emotion.
Kartik Aaryan: High on Momentum
The movie followed close on the heels of Kartik Aaryan’s newly found success with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which hit the screens in November 2024 and was a box office success. The performance was extensively praised, and the success of the film only acted to reinforce his recent successes in the trade.
Looking ahead, Kartik’s plate seems full. According to a recent exclusive by Pinkvilla, the actor is also set to collaborate with director Shimit Amin (Chak De! India) for Captain India, a drama inspired by a real-life incident. Kartik will portray an Air Force pilot, and the film is expected to begin production in early 2026 with shoots planned in India and Morocco.
What to Expect
With a strong creative team, an intriguing fresh pair in the lead, and the promise of a rich musical and visual experience, Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela’s untitled film is shaping up to be one of the most awaited releases of the year. If Anurag Basu’s body of work,from Barfi! to Jagga Jasoos, is any guide, then audiences can look forward to a blend of romance, art, music, and emotional depth.
Whether it can eclipse the action fest of Alpha is yet to be seen, but this one thing is certain: Christmas 2025 is going to be a cinematic extravaganza, and both genre fans are in for a treat.
Stay tuned as further updates, including the title of the film, music album, and official teaser, are on their way within the next few months.