Alia Bhatt, who after the success of Zoya Akhtar’s musical drama Gully Boy last month will next be seen in Abhishek Varman’s period film Kalank in April, is of the firm belief that every film has its own destiny. And if it’s meant for an actor, then it will come to that actor. As the excitement mounts for her big ticket release co-starring Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, Varun Dhawan, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur, Alia is grateful that Kalank’s destiny was linked to her perhaps right from the start.

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The film was conceptualized by Karan Johar and his father Yash Johar 15 years ago and Kalank had reportedly even gone into pre-production but got shelved. It was the last film that his father worked on, KJo told the media while sharing the first look of Kalank recently, and it had always been his dream to bring this story before the audience. Karan said of his big, ambitious project, “Kalank is a film that was born in my heart and mind 15 years ago and is a film I passionately believe in. The story of turbulent relationships and eternal love has now found a voice.”

Alia, who plays a major role in the period drama, was just 11 when Karan and his father thought about making Kalank. The actress admits that it hit her later that the coveted role would not have belonged to her had Kalank been made 15 years ago. “Karan waited 15 years,” said Alia who turned 26 last week, “I think Kalank was just meant to happen to me!” She added that Imtiaz Ali too had waited 15 years before making the road drama Highway in 2014 for which she drew much critical acclaim. “I strongly believe the stars aligned in my favour,” Alia said. Incidentally, both Highway and Kalank have been co-produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.