Filming has commenced for Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar’s next film, backed by producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the makers announced Monday.
Billed as India’s biggest alien action spectacle, the Kanishk Varma directorial is slated for a theatrical release in 2027.
“A story that pushed us to imagine bigger, create differently and venture beyond the familiar. #SAMUK starring Akshay Kumar, filming begins,” reads the caption on X.
According to a press release, “Samuk blends survival horror and alien thriller elements on an international scale”.
The film was announced in April. The makers said the film aims to push Indian commercial cinema into an unexplored genre space by combining grounded action storytelling with practical effects and high-end visual world-building.
Kumar said he was looking forward to exploring a new genre with the project.
“Yes, I’ve signed this film. I found the script and subject of ‘Samuk’ fascinating. Alien thriller is a totally new genre for me and also for our films. I am very excited about it,” he said in a statement.
Varma said the project drew inspiration from elite security forces and classic sci-fi horror films.
“was born from my love for the SPG world and survival thrillers like and . Bringing those influences together with Akshay sir has been surreal…I always wanted the creature to feel physically real on set. That old-school tactile horror is what made films like Alien timeless,” he said.
The film will also feature an international technical team associated with Hollywood franchise filmmaking. Acclaimed creature FX designer Alec Gillis has joined the project to design and create the film’s alien creature, while British stunt coordinator Luke Tumber will oversee the action sequences.