May 29, 2026 10:55am IST
With ‘Samuk’, Akshay Kumar, Vipul Amrutlal Shah Betting On A Never-Seen-Before Alien Thriller (EXCLUSIVE)
Akshay Kumar and Vipul Amrutlal Shah are returning to familiar territory by doing something completely unfamiliar. The actor and producer are reuniting after 12 years for “Samuk,” a project being positioned as India’s first large-scale alien survival thriller.
In an exclusive chat with Variety India, the actor is brimming with nostalgia and humor. “After 12 years, Vipul and I are coming together again. We’ve done some great films together like “Aankhen” (2002), “Waqt: The Race Against Time” (2005), “Namastey London” (2007) and “Singh Is Kinng” (2008) and many others,” notes Kumar, quipping, “And yes, we’ve also done a legendary film called ‘Action Replayy’.”
Related Stories
The project is being developed as an alien survival action thriller blending creature horror, military realism and old-school suspense aesthetics inspired by Hollywood franchises like “Alien” and “Predator.” The film will be directed by Kanishk Varma, whose previous credits include “Sanak” and the series “Inside Edge.” Reports suggest production is expected to begin in August this year, with a theatrical release being eyed for 2027.
Akshay Kumar says the ambition from the beginning was not simply to experiment with genre, but to do it at a scale audiences have not seen before. He said, “We are entering a completely new genre that nobody has attempted before. It’s an alien thriller we are launching with ‘Samuk.’”
That ambition extends behind the camera as well. “My thing with Vipul was very clear. If we are entering this genre, then we have to make it at an international level. That’s why we have brought in an international crew for the film. ‘Samuk’ is the first of its kind and that was very important for us from the beginning."
The team already includes Hollywood creature effects veteran Alec Gillis, known for his work across the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises, who will design the film’s creature. Action specialist Luke Tumber, whose credits include large-scale international productions, has also joined the project. The makers are reportedly leaning heavily into practical creature work alongside large-scale action rather than relying entirely on computer-generated imagery.
For Kumar, who has spent recent years moving across comedy, historical dramas and action films, “Samuk” may represent more than a reunion. It may also be one of the bigger genre swings of his career. And for an industry increasingly built around universes and established IPs, “Samuk” appears to be betting on something else entirely. An alien no one has seen before.
Shares Vipul A Shah, “I am excited to reunite with Akshay and bring him back in the action space. Kanishk Varma worked on the film for two years and then pitched it to Akshay. He instantly loved it. We will leave no stone unturned to make it the most exciting experience for the audiences.”
(With inputs from Rahul Raut)
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.