‘Samuk’: Banita Sandhu To Play Environmentalist in Akshay Kumar’s Sci-Fi Thriller (EXCLUSIVE)

Banita Sandhu is set to play a British-born Indian environmentalist who accidentally finds herself on a mission she was never meant to be part of, in “Samuk,” Variety India has learned exclusively. The actor  who made her Hindi film debut opposite Varun Dhawan in Shoojit Sircar’s “October,”  subsequently appeared in Vicky Kaushal starrer “Sardar Udham.” She now joins Akshay Kumar in Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s upcoming science-fiction action-survival thriller, directed by Kanishk Varma.

While the makers are keeping the film’s plot and individual character arcs under wraps, Sandhu’s character is understood to have a key role in the narrative.

The character’s unexpected presence on the mission sets her apart from the others, with her environmentalist background adding another dimension to the ensemble. How she becomes entangled in the mission, and what her presence means for its outcome, forms a major part of the role. The film is being promoted as an alien survival thriller, bringing together science fiction, action and survival elements on a large theatrical scale.

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Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under the Sunshine Pictures banner and co-produced by Aashin A. Shah, “Samuk” marks Shah and Kumar's reunion after more than a decade. The film is directed by Varma, whose previous credits include “Sanak” and the series “Inside Edge”. The project has been in development for over two years, with the makers assembling an ensemble cast while keeping the story's finer details closely guarded.

Sandhu’s acting credits lend another international dimension to the film. Her acting credits also include the Netflix series “Bridgerton” and Imtiaz Ali's “Main Vaapas Aaunga”. With “Samuk”, she steps into a science fiction action thriller led by one of Hindi cinema’s established action stars.

Kumar headlines the film alongside Rukmini Maitra, Viineet Kumar Siingh, Rajat Kapoor, Swanand Kirkire and Sushant Singh. The makers have not disclosed the characters played by most of the ensemble, keeping the focus on the film’s larger premise rather than revealing how its different players fit into the story.

“Samuk” also brings international genre expertise behind the camera. Academy Award-nominated creature effects designer Alec Gillis, known for his work on the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises, is associated with the film, while British action director Luke Tumber is handling its action sequences. The production is combining science fiction and survival storytelling with a practical creature-effects approach.

The film began shooting in the United Kingdom in late August, with the overseas schedule now complete. The production is expected to move to Mumbai for its final shooting leg, with a theatrical release planned for 2027.