After Bhooth Bangla, Akshay Kumar is showing no signs of slowing down. The actor already has multiple projects lined up. He is currently shooting for Anees Bazmee’s next alongside Vidya Balan and is also awaiting the release of Welcome to the Jungle.
Now, it has been confirmed that Akshay will headline India’s first alien thriller, Samuk.
Directed by Kanishk Varma, produced by Vipul Shah and co-produced by Aashin A Shah, Samuk is being positioned as one of the biggest Indian theatrical event films of 2027. The project will see Akshay Kumar returning to a proper large-scale action role, with the film blending survival horror and alien thriller elements on an international scale.
Known for projects like Sanak, Inside Edge and Glory, Kanishk Varma has spent over two years developing the film with Vipul Shah. The makers are aiming to push Indian commercial cinema into an unexplored genre space by combining grounded action storytelling with practical creature effects and high-end visual world-building.
Director Kanishk Varma revealed that the film was inspired by his fascination with elite security forces and iconic sci-fi horror films. “Samuk was born from my love for the SPG world and survival thrillers like Alien and Predator. Bringing those influences together with Akshay sir has been surreal.” He also emphasised the film’s reliance on practical effects. “I always wanted the creature to feel physically real on set. That old-school tactile horror is what made films like Alien timeless.”
Sources close to the production describe Samuk as a highly cinematic survival alien thriller that combines practical creature effects, military realism and old-school horror aesthetics inspired by iconic Hollywood franchises like Alien and Predator. Akshay Kumar also confirmed being a part of the film. “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 shared.
The film also brings together a major international technical team from Hollywood franchise filmmaking. Acclaimed creature FX designer Alec Gillis has joined the project to design and create the film’s alien creature. Gillis is best known for his work on the Alien and Predator franchises, including Alien: Romulus, along with films such as Starship Troopers, Smile, It and Tremors. A veteran of Hollywood creature filmmaking for nearly five decades, Gillis previously worked under legendary filmmaker Stan Winston on Aliens and the original Predator.
The film’s action will be overseen by British stunt coordinator Luke Tumber, whose credits include Mission: Impossible, the Venom films, Star Wars, No Time To Die and Marvel’s Vision Quest.
Produced by Vipul Shah, directed by Kanishk Varma and co-produced by Aashin A Shah, Samuk is currently being developed as a large-scale pan-Indian theatrical film with global production ambition, and is expected to go on floors soon.
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