Mumbai: Alia Bhatt is reportedly set to return as Isha in Brahmastra 2, but her role in the highly anticipated sequel may be more limited than in the first instalment. According to a report, the actress will have an extended appearance and is expected to shoot for around 25 days for the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer.
The sequel, directed by Ayan Mukerji, is expected to shift the focus towards the mythology surrounding Dev and Amrita, with Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone reportedly at the centre of the story.
Alia Bhatt expected to reprise Isha
Alia played Isha in Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva, opposite Ranbir Kapoor’s Shiva. Her character was an important part of the first film’s story and romantic track.
For the sequel, however, reports suggest that Isha will not have the same amount of screen time. Instead, Alia is expected to make an extended appearance, with her shooting schedule reportedly limited to approximately 25 days.
The development does not necessarily mean that Isha will be insignificant to the story. Her connection with Shiva could remain important even if the narrative gives more attention to the mythology surrounding other characters.
Brahmastra 2 to focus on Dev and Amrita
The sequel is reportedly being designed around Dev and Amrita, characters whose backstory was teased towards the end of the first film.
Ranbir Kapoor is expected to play Dev, while Deepika Padukone is reportedly in discussions to portray Amrita. The film could therefore explore a different period and dimension of the Astraverse while continuing Shiva and Isha’s storyline.
Deepika’s reported involvement has generated considerable interest because her character Amrita was introduced briefly in the first instalment but is expected to have a much larger role in the sequel.
Ranbir Kapoor reportedly has a dual role
Another major element of Brahmastra 2 is Ranbir Kapoor’s reported double role.
The actor is expected to portray both Shiva and Dev, allowing the sequel to connect the present-day storyline with the mythology and history surrounding Dev and Amrita.
This could give Kapoor a substantially different character to portray alongside his established role as Shiva.
The Dev-Amrita storyline is expected to expand the mythology introduced in the first film and reveal more about the origins of the Astras and their characters.
Deepika Padukone’s role remains unconfirmed
While Deepika Padukone’s involvement has been widely reported, her casting as Amrita has not yet been officially confirmed by the filmmakers.
Reports indicate that discussions are underway for the actress to take on the role.
If confirmed, the sequel would bring together Ranbir, Deepika and Alia in a franchise that already has strong connections between their characters.
Deepika’s Amrita is expected to be central to the Dev storyline, making her role one of the most anticipated aspects of the sequel.
Shooting expected to begin in April 2027
Production on Brahmastra 2 is reportedly scheduled to begin in April 2027.
Ranbir Kapoor is expected to start filming after completing his commitments to Ramayana, while Ayan Mukerji continues preparations for the sequel.
The overall production is reportedly planned for around 125 days, significantly longer than Alia’s proposed 25-day schedule.
This suggests that her appearance will form only one part of the film’s broader production, while the principal photography will focus on the central Dev-Amrita storyline and other major sequences.
A different direction for the franchise
The first Brahmastra largely revolved around Shiva discovering his powers and his relationship with Isha.
The sequel appears to be taking a broader approach by exploring the history of Dev and Amrita.
This shift could allow the franchise to expand beyond the events of the first film and explore the mythology of the Astraverse in greater detail.
For audiences, Alia’s return as Isha would provide continuity with the original film, even as the sequel introduces a new central conflict.
What Alia’s shorter schedule could mean
A 25-day shooting schedule does not necessarily indicate that Isha will have only a minor impact on the story.
An actor’s shooting days can vary depending on the complexity of scenes, locations, action sequences, visual-effects requirements and the number of scenes involved.
However, the reported schedule does suggest that Alia will not be one of the primary performers throughout the sequel.
The film is instead expected to give greater prominence to Dev and Amrita.
Brahmastra franchise continues to expand
Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva, released in 2022, introduced Ayan Mukerji’s planned Astraverse and starred Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles.
The film ended with several unanswered questions about Dev, Amrita and the origins of the Astras, setting up the foundation for future instalments.
The sequel is expected to explore those unanswered elements in much greater detail.
With Ranbir returning, Alia reprising Isha and Deepika potentially joining as Amrita, the second chapter is shaping up to have a significantly different character dynamic from the first film.
Fans await official announcement
While several details about Brahmastra 2 have emerged through industry reports, the makers have yet to officially confirm the complete cast, shooting schedule and character details.
The reported 25-day schedule for Alia Bhatt is therefore best viewed as an industry update rather than a formally announced production detail.
An official announcement is expected to provide greater clarity about the cast and the scale of the sequel as production approaches.
Conclusion
Alia Bhatt is reportedly set to return as Isha in Brahmastra 2 with an extended appearance, with reports suggesting that she will shoot for around 25 days.
The sequel is expected to move its primary focus towards Dev and Amrita, with Ranbir Kapoor reportedly playing Dev alongside his role as Shiva and Deepika Padukone in talks to portray Amrita. Production is currently expected to begin in April 2027.
While Alia’s reported shorter schedule may mean Isha has a reduced presence compared with the first film, her return could still provide an important connection to Shiva and the original story. With the Astraverse expanding into the backstories of its key characters, Brahmastra 2 is likely to take the franchise in a new direction.
