Mumbai, May 29 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is gearing up to explore an entirely new cinematic space with Samuk, an ambitious alien survival thriller backed by producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kanishk Varma. The film, which is currently in pre-production, is being envisioned as one of the most technically advanced and genre-defining projects attempted in Indian cinema.

"A Never-Seen-Before Cinema"

Speaking about the film in an exclusive interaction with Variety India, Akshay Kumar admitted that Samuk instantly stood out because of its fresh concept and scale. The actor revealed that the project offers something Indian audiences have rarely experienced before in mainstream cinema. Calling it a "never-seen-before" thriller, Akshay shared that the film combines survival horror, intense action, and extraterrestrial suspense in a grounded yet cinematic manner.

The actor also expressed excitement about stepping into the sci-fi genre in such a large-scale setup, blending military realism with high-intensity survival sequences. Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah emphasised that Samuk is not being treated as a conventional Bollywood entertainer. Instead, the makers are aiming to create a globally mounted sci-fi thriller with strong emotional storytelling and realistic action.

Director Kanishk Varma reportedly drew inspiration from iconic international alien survival films but wanted Samuk to have its own identity rooted in Indian storytelling sensibilities. One of the film's biggest creative decisions is the use of practical creature effects instead of depending heavily on computer-generated imagery.

Hollywood Technician On Board

To achieve that vision, the team has brought on board Hollywood creature designer Alec Gillis, best known for his work on globally acclaimed franchises like Alien and Predator. Gillis will design the extraterrestrial creature for Samuk, with the makers aiming to create a terrifying and physically realistic on-screen presence. The project has also roped in action expert Luke Tumber, who has worked on major international productions, including films from the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Samuk also marks Akshay Kumar's reunion with Vipul Amrutlal Shah after several successful collaborations in the past. Their partnership has delivered multiple commercial entertainers over the years, and expectations are already high for this latest venture. At a time when Indian cinema is increasingly experimenting with new genres and storytelling formats, Samuk could emerge as a landmark project if executed successfully. The shoot of the film is expected to begin in August this year for a grand theatrical release in 2027.