Aug 11, 2026 10:30am IST
Akshay Kumar To Begin ‘Samuk’ Shoot In London On August 23 (EXCLUSIVE)
Akshay Kumar is set to begin filming "Samuk," his upcoming alien thriller with producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, on August 23, 2026, in London, Variety India has learned exclusively.
The film will be shot predominantly in London, with approximately 90% of the production taking place there. The remaining portions will be filmed in Mumbai. The team is planning to complete the shoot in one long, continuous run rather than splitting production across multiple schedules.
"Samuk" marks another collaboration between Kumar and Shah, who have previously worked together on films including "Aankhen," "Waqt: The Race Against Time," "Namastey London," "Singh Is Kinng" and "Action Replayy." The new project takes the actor into the alien thriller space, a genre that has remained relatively uncommon in Indian mainstream cinema.
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Kanishk Varma is directing "Samuk." The film was previously announced as an ambitious alien survival thriller and has brought international technical talent onto the project, including creature effects specialist Alec Gillis and action specialist Luke Tumber.
Gillis is known for his work on major creature-driven productions, including the "Alien" and "Predator" franchises, while Tumber has worked across action-heavy international productions. Their involvement points to the project's emphasis on creature work and large-scale action.
The decision to concentrate around 90% of the shoot in London is part of the film's production strategy, with the city serving as the primary backdrop while the remaining 10% will be filmed at other locations.
"Samuk" is being developed as a theatrical feature and is currently expected to release in 2027. The film reunites Kumar and Shah on a project that moves away from their earlier collaborations and into science fiction and survival territory.
With filming now set to begin on August 23, the London schedule will mark the start of the project's principal photography and is expected to account for the bulk of its production.
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