Sep 02, 2026 10:32am IST
Akshay Kumar’s ‘Samuk’ Finds Its Lead Heroine in Rukmini Maitr (EXCLUSIVE)
The shooting of Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s upcoming sci-fi action thriller ‘Samuk,’ starring Akshay Kumar, is currently underway in the UK. Variety India has learned exclusively that well-known Bengali actress Rukmini Maitr is in talks to join the project opposite the “Bhooth Bhangla” actor.
This upcoming venture marks a dual milestone: it is the actress’s first foray into Hindi cinema after a successful innings in Bengali films, and a rare crossover for the industry itself. While actresses from South Indian cinema have often shared the screen with A-Listers, this casting bridges a new gap, with Maitr bagging the lead role in a Hindi film. According to a source, “Discussions are underway with Maitr for a key part in the Kanishk Varma directorial. Rukmini has an interesting role that will complement Kumar. The makers wanted someone with intensity and a screen presence.”
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‘Samuk,’ which is co-produced by Aashin A. Shah, blends science fiction with action and survival elements. The film marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah after a 12-year gap since their last collaboration, “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty,” which hit screens in 2014. Their previous collaborations include “Aankhen” (2002), “Waqt: The Race Against Time” (2005), “Namastey London” (2007) and “Action Replayy” (2010).
Directed by Kanishk Varma, “Samuk” has been in development for over two years and is being mounted as a large-scale theatrical spectacle. The ambitious project is expected to release in 2027.
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