Ahan Shetty’s next feature has undergone a major behind-the-scenes shift before it could go on floors. Box Office Worldwide has exclusively learned that Shaad Ali has exited the actor’s untitled romantic drama after the project was delayed in production, with Tinu Desai now stepping in to direct the film.
The development changes the creative energy around a project that had already sparked curiosity for pairing Ahan with a filmmaker known for stylish, emotionally charged storytelling. Set in Uttar Pradesh, the film is designed as an intense romantic drama with a rooted backdrop, giving it a distinct identity within the actor’s developing slate.
Why The Film Changed Directors
The shift was tied to scheduling after the production timeline moved. Once the delay altered the original plan, Shaad Ali stepped away from the project and the makers initiated a directorial change to keep the film on course. That makes the transition less about a creative fallout and more about maintaining forward movement after the schedule was disrupted.
The film itself remains in place as an emotionally driven love story anchored in Uttar Pradesh. Shaad Ali has roots in Kanpur and helmed film like Bunty Aur Babli which was set in Kanpur too. His presence was expected to shape the film’s mood and texture in a substantial way, placing the narrative within a culturally specific landscape rather than a generic romance template.
Tinu Desai Takes Charge Of The Uttar Pradesh Drama
With Tinu Desai now at the helm, the makers are moving ahead with development and preparing for the next production window. His entry gives the film a renewed push at a stage where delays can often derail momentum altogether. Instead, the project is being repositioned with a new director while retaining its core premise and lead actor.
Tinu Desai directed Akshay Kumar’s Rustom and Mission Raniganj. He was expected to direct a war film with Ajay Devgn but film got shelved due to creative differences.
That also gives the film added intrigue. Ahan entered films with a high-emotion launch vehicle, and this project returns him to a similarly intense zone, though with a more rooted dramatic world. The directorial switch, then, is not just an internal production update. It also shapes the tone of what could become one of his more defining performances so far.
What This Phase Means For Ahan Shetty
The reshuffle arrives at an important moment in Ahan’s screen journey. He made his acting debut with Tadap in 2021, directed by Milan Luthria and co-starring Tara Sutaria, a film that introduced him through a romance-heavy, emotionally volatile part. More recently, he returned to theatres with Border 2, which released on January 23, 2026, under the direction of Anurag Singh, alongside Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh.
Ahan Shetty has also signed an interesting untitled horror film to be produced by Khyati Madaan’s Not Out Entertainment. Film is said be based on national tragedy.
This untitled romantic drama now sits at an interesting intersection in his lineup. It follows a large-scale ensemble war film but pulls him back into an intimate emotional space, allowing a different kind of screen test. With Tinu Desai taking over and the project moving ahead again, the film now carries added curiosity as Ahan’s next substantial lead-driven chapter.
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