Alia Bhatt, acclaimed for her role in Gangubai Kathiawadi, was not Sanjay Leela Bhansali's initial choice. Aditya Narayan, who assisted Bhansali, revealed that Rani Mukerji was considered for the lead role. Priyanka Chopra was also reportedly in contention for the matriarch's part before Alia ultimately took on the acclaimed character.