Alia Bhatt Says ‘Don’t Be Shy’ Cast Will Feature Newcomers From Outside the Film Industry

Actor and producer Alia Bhatt has announced a new production venture, the coming-of-age romantic comedy Don’t Be Shy, which will stream on Prime Video. The project will be produced by Bhatt alongside her sister Shaheen Bhatt under their banner Eternal Sunshine Productions.

Bhatt said the film will feature a cast drawn entirely from outside the film industry, introducing new performers rather than established actors. The decision, she suggested, aligns with the production company’s interest in backing fresh voices and stories rooted in contemporary experiences. She also added that she's planned a fitting launch for the cast of the project soon.

Written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji, the film follows Shyamili “Shy” Das, a 20-year-old who believes she has her future mapped out with precision. Her carefully structured life begins to unravel when an unexpected turn of events disrupts her plans, forcing her to confront uncertainty in matters of friendship, love and identity.

Bhatt said the story resonated with the ethos behind Eternal Sunshine Productions, which she co-founded to support character-driven narratives. “At Eternal Sunshine, we’ve always wanted to back stories that feel honest and voices that feel their own,” she said in a statement announcing the project.

The film will be co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani and made in association with Chalkboard Entertainment. Dialogues and additional screenplay have been written by Sehaj Kaur Maini.

According to Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals for Prime Video India, the platform sees the project as a character-led romantic comedy aimed at younger audiences. He described the film as a story about growing up that blends humour with emotional realism.

The music for the film will be composed by Ram Sampath. Further details about the cast are expected to be announced at a later stage.

Bhatt, who has increasingly expanded her role as a producer in recent years, also has several acting projects lined up. She is set to appear in Alpha, part of the spy universe developed by Yash Raj Films, and in Love and War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.