One of the enduring pleasures of cinema is watching fresh on-screen pairings come together. While familiar combinations carry their own appeal, new jodis often bring a sense of unpredictability and curiosity. The second half of 2026 is set to introduce several such pairings across genres, including romance, horror, fantasy and drama. These combinations also reflect an industry that is increasingly willing to experiment with casting choices. Whether bringing together established performers and newcomers or actors with contrasting screen personas, these pairings have already sparked interest among audiences. Here are six fresh jodis to watch out for.
1. Abhay Verma and Rasha Thadani — Layka Layki
Rasha Thadani and Abhay Verma are set to come together for Layka Layki, marking a fresh on-screen pairing for the young actors. With Abhay riding high on the success of Munjya and Rasha emerging as a promising newcomer, their collaboration has already generated curiosity among moviegoers. After making their debuts in recent years, Rasha Thadani and Abhay Verma are set to share screen space in Layka Layki. Abhay gained wider recognition with Munjya, while Rasha has attracted attention with her screen presence and growing popularity. Their pairing brings together two young actors at a promising stage in their careers.
2. Raghav Juyal and Saiee M Manjrekar — Ikaai
Saiee M Manjrekar and Raghav Juyal team up for Ikaai, bringing together two actors with distinctly different screen personas. While Saiee has explored varied roles across genres, Raghav has earned appreciation for his intense performances, making their first collaboration an intriguing pairing to watch. Ikaai brings together Saiee M Manjrekar and Raghav Juyal in an unconventional pairing. Saiee has explored varied roles in her career so far, while Raghav has earned appreciation for performances in projects such as Kill. Their contrasting screen images add to the intrigue surrounding the film.
3. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Sreeleela — Diler
Sreeleela and Ibrahim Ali Khan are set to share screen space in Diler, bringing together two young actors who have generated considerable interest among audiences. Their first collaboration adds another fresh pairing to Bollywood's 2026 slate and is expected to appeal to younger moviegoers. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Sreeleela will be paired opposite each other in Diler. Sreeleela has emerged as one of the more visible young actors in recent times, while Ibrahim continues to generate interest as one of Bollywood's emerging young actors. Their pairing is likely to appeal to younger audiences.
4. Vishal Jethwa and Aneet Padda — Shakti Shalini
Following the success of Saiyaara, Aneet Padda teams up with Vishal Jethwa for Shakti Shalini. Vishal’s body of work and Aneet’s growing popularity make for a pairing that combines freshness with strong acting credentials. The film is expected to showcase their chemistry in a compelling narrative.
5. Mihir Ahuja and Prasanna Bisht — Untitled Film
Prasanna Bisht and Mihir Ahuja will be seen together in Aditya Chandioke’s upcoming untitled dramedy. With Mihir’s urban charm and Prasanna’s understated screen presence, the pairing promises a refreshing dynamic in a film set against the backdrop of small-town India. Mihir Ahuja and Prasanna Bisht will headline an untitled dramedy directed by Aditya Chandioke. Mihir has been seen in projects such as Made In Heaven and The Archies, while Prasanna was appreciated for her performance in Chiraiya. Set in a small-town milieu, the film is expected to explore relationships with humour and warmth.
6. Pragati Srivastava and Vedang Raina — Untitled Project
Vedang Raina and Pragati Srivastava are set to share screen space for the first time in an upcoming Maddock Films project. With Vedang steadily building his filmography and Pragati making inroads into mainstream Hindi cinema, the fresh pairing is among the new combinations to watch in 2026. Vedang Raina and Pragati Srivastava are coming together for an untitled project backed by Maddock Films. Vedang has drawn attention through The Archies and Jigra, while Pragati has been building her filmography with projects such as Janaadesh and Nakrewali. Their pairing is among the fresh combinations audiences can look forward to seeing on screen next year.
