Aug 08, 2026 10:30am IST
After Jamie Foxx’s ‘Deadlocked,’ Nikhil Nagesh Bhat To Direct Ajay Devgn’s Action Drama (EXCLUSIVE)
Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's post-"Kill" momentum shows no signs of slowing down. A few days after Amazon MGM Studios announced that the filmmaker will make his Hollywood debut with the Jamie Foxx-led action thriller "Deadlocked," Variety India has learned that Bhat has already locked his next feature, this time with one of Hindi cinema's biggest stars.
Bhat will direct Ajay Devgn in an action drama backed by Jio Studios. The project is currently being readied for production, with principal photography expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Story details remain tightly under wraps, as an official announcement is yet to take place.
The development marks another significant milestone for Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, whose profile has risen sharply following the success of "Kill," starring Raghav Juyal and Lakshya.
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The action thriller premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before earning widespread acclaim for its visceral action design and tightly choreographed set pieces. The film went on to find a global audience, with Hollywood also acquiring remake rights, firmly establishing Bhat as one of India's most distinctive action filmmakers.
That momentum carried into Hollywood this week with the announcement of "Deadlocked." The English-language feature follows a grieving former U.S. Marine serving jury duty who is forced into action after armed assailants seize control of a courthouse.
The Ajay Devgn collaboration now brings Bhat back to India for what is expected to be another action-driven feature. Devgn, one of the industry's most enduring action stars, has consistently balanced large-scale commercial entertainers with dramatic roles, making the pairing with Bhat a notable combination of star power and one of the country's most sought-after action directors at the moment.
If the current schedule holds, cameras are expected to roll in the latter half of 2027, after Bhat has delivered "Deadlocked," with additional details on the cast and release timeline likely to follow in the coming months.
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