What Bollywood Actresses Are Starring In Next: 2025-26 Line-Up & Big Releases

Bollywood is shifting into high gear, and the women of Hindi cinema are front and centre. From legacy stars to fresh faces, here’s a rundown of which actresses are booked and busy for 2025-26 — so you know what’s coming next.

Major Stars & Their Upcoming Films

Rani Mukerji – Mardaani 3

• Rani returns as fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3, the third instalment of the franchise.

• The film is slated to release 27 February 2026.

• Why it’s important: Rarely does a female lead drive a high-octane action franchise in Bollywood — this positions Rani as a powerhouse.

Kareena Kapoor Khan – Crew 2 & Daayra

• Crew 2: She reprises her role in the comedy-heist sequel.

• Daayra: A crime-drama directed by Meghna Gulzar, starring Kareena and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

• Why this matters: Balancing mass-entertainment with content-rich cinema – two very different spaces.

Kajol – Maharagni: Queen of Queens

• Kajol is reportedly signed for the film titled Maharagni: Queen of Queens.

• Details remain thin; treat as expected not yet officially confirmed.

• Why it’s interesting: A veteran with high emotional pull — this could be a standout dramatic role.

Tabu – Bhooth Bangla

• Tabu is listed for Bhooth Bangla, hinting a potential horror/comedy mix.

• Why it’s notable: Combining star power with genre-bending film styles suits today’s audience appetite.

  
  

Deepika Padukone – King & AA22xA6 (working title)

King: Rumoured to be a massive commercial film; Deepika in a new avatar.

• AA22xA6: Working title – indicates a major secret project.

• Why this matters: Deepika is moving into action and spectacle in a big way, shifting her brand.

Triptii Dimri – Spirit, O Romeo & Maa Behen

• Triptii has multiple films lined up: Spirit, O Romeo, Maa Behen.

• Why it’s interesting: The next-gen face is increasingly busy — a sign of rising star momentum.

Alia Bhatt – Alpha & Love & War

• Alpha: A major action-spy film from YRF’s Spy Universe, with Alia in the lead. Wikipedia

• Love & War: Romantic epic, still under wraps.

• Why it stands out: Alia shifting into large-scale, big-budget universe films signifies a scale-up.

Kriti Sanon – Tere Ishq Mein & Cocktail 2

• Tere Ishq Mein: Romance drama.

• Cocktail 2: Sequel to the 2012 hit.

• Why this matters: Franchises + romance = a strong mix for Kriti.

Kiara Advani – Toxic

• Kiara’s listed for Toxic, a high-stakes action thriller.

• Why it’s meaningful: Shows her branching into serious, intense roles beyond rom-com territory.

Kangana Ranaut – Queen 2 & Tanu Weds Manu 3\

• Revisiting popular characters with two big sequels.

• Why this stands out: The entertainment value of nostalgia + star power = commercial prospects.

Additional Actresses to Watch & Their Projects

Here are more leading ladies who are lining up films in 2025-26 — helping broaden the female-led landscape of Bollywood.

• Yami Gautam Dhar – Haq, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga 2, Dhoom Dhaam, Tama Sur.

• Mrunal Thakur – Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Pooja Meri Jaan, Dacoit, and AA22xA6 (same as Deepika’s project).

• Sai Pallavi – Mere Raho and Ramayan (notably a pan-India mythological scale).

• Rashmika Mandanna – The Girlfriend, Cocktail 2, Mysaa.

• Janhvi Kapoor – Dostana 2, Peddi.

• Ananya Panday – Tu Meri Main Tera, Chand Mera Dil, Call Me Bae S2.

• Pooja Hegde – Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.

• Aneet Padda – Nyaya & Shakti Shalini (part of the horror-comedy universe).

• Pratibha Ranta – The Revolutionaries.

• Rasha Thadani – An upcoming action-romance with Lakshya Lalwani.

• Shanaya Kapoor – Tu Yaa Main.

• Nitanshi Goel – A pan-India film alongside Anand Deverakonda.

• Wamiqa Gabbi – Bhooth Bangla, Goodachari 2, Tiki Taka.

Why This 2025-26 Female-Led Line-Up Matters

• Keyword-rich opportunities: Terms like “Bollywood actresses upcoming films 2025”, “2026 Hindi film female lead”, “actress next big movie India” are accelerating in search volume.

• Franchise focus: Many of these films are sequels or part of larger universes (e.g., Alpha, Queen 2, Cocktail 2) — which draws repeat audience and search interest.

• Pan-India & cross-industry scope: With projects spanning beyond Hindi to Telugu, Tamil and multi-language releases, Indian audiences are more open to cross-market female stars.

• Diverse genres: From action (Mardaani 3), spy-thriller (Alpha), horror-comedy (Bhooth Bangla), to romance and mythological (Ramayan) — this variety strengthens the article’s appeal to a wide audience.

  
  

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

Q1: Which Bollywood actress has the most films lined up for 2025-26?

It appears that Triptii Dimri, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon have the busiest slates, with 2-3 confirmed projects each.

Q2: When is “Alpha” starring Alia Bhatt releasing?

Alpha, directed by Shiv Rawail for Yash Raj Films, is scheduled for release on 25 December 2025.

Q3: Are “Tanu Weds Manu 3” and “Queen 2” officially confirmed for Kangana Ranaut?

These projects are widely reported in trade circles as in development; official announcements are still awaited.

Q4: Which actresses are doing pan-India films or major multilingual releases?

Sai Pallavi (with Ramayan), Rashmika Mandanna (with The Girlfriend, Mysaa), and Ananya Panday (with cross-industry titles) are among those extending beyond Hindi cinema.

Q5: What genres are female leads dominating in 2025-26?

Action-thrillers (Mardaani 3, Alpha), horror-comedy (Bhooth Bangla), romance (Tere Ishq Mein), mythological and pan-India (Ramayan) — shows the broadening of territory beyond traditional rom-com.