Akshay Kumar to shoot alien thriller ‘Samuk’ in London

Akshay Kumar is stepping into unfamiliar territory with his next project, an ambitious alien thriller titled "Samuk."

Akshay Kumar is stepping into unfamiliar territory with his next project, an ambitious alien thriller titled “Samuk.” Filming is set to begin on August 23 in London.

The film is being produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, according to a report by Variety India. It marks a fresh direction for Kumar, who is best known for action, comedy and patriotic dramas rather than science fiction.

Nearly 90% of the shoot will take place in London, with the production later moving to Mumbai to wrap up the remaining portions. Rather than splitting the shoot into multiple phases, the makers plan to complete it in one continuous schedule.

This is not the first time Kumar and Shah have worked together. The 58-year-old actor and the 57-year-old filmmaker have previously collaborated on hits including “Aankhen,” “Namastey London” and “Singh Is Kinng.”

Their latest project, however, marks a clear departure from their earlier work. Venturing into alien thriller territory is a genre rarely explored in mainstream Indian cinema, making “Samuk” a notably ambitious undertaking.

The film is being directed by Kanishk Varma, who is helming what’s being described as an alien survival thriller. The project aims to push Indian cinema into largely uncharted creative territory.

To bring the film’s vision to life, the production has brought in international talent for its technical execution. Renowned creature-effects specialist Alec Gillis has been attached to the project, alongside action expert Luke Tumber.

Their involvement suggests the makers are aiming for a globally competitive standard in both visual effects and action choreography, elements crucial to pulling off a convincing alien thriller.

With shooting now just weeks away, anticipation is building around how Kumar will adapt to this unfamiliar genre. “Samuk” is currently slated for a theatrical release sometime in 2027, giving the team ample time to bring its ambitious vision to the screen.