A few days ago, Akshay Kumar commenced shoot for his next big project Samuk. Now, reports are coming in that the makers of Samuk have locked the female lead for the film.
According to Variety, Rukmini Maitr will be seen as the leading lady opposite Akshay. Rukmini, who began her acting career in 2017, primarily works in Bengali cinema. In 2021, she made her Hindi film debut with Sanak, the Vidyut Jammwal starrer actioner. She also made a special appearance in Crakk (2024), playing herself. More details about her role in Samuk, meanwhile, are yet to be out.
Samuk is being directed by Kanishk Varma, who has previously directed Sanak and Inside Edge among other works. The film is being backed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. As per a press note previously shared by the makers, “The project will see Akshay Kumar returning to a proper large-scale action role, with the film blending survival horror and alien thriller elements on an international scale.”
Billed as a ‘highly cinematic survival alien thriller that combines practical creature effects, military realism and old-school horror aesthetics,' the film has onboard acclaimed creature FX designer Alec Gillis, best known for his work on the Alien and Predator franchises, including Alien: Romulus (2024), to design and create the film’s alien creature.
Meanwhile, the film’s action will be overseen by British stunt coordinator Luke Tumber, whose credits include Mission: Impossible, the Venom films, Star Wars, No Time To Die and Marvel’s Vision Quest.
Akshay and Vipul Amrutlal Shah have previously collaborated on many successful projects like Aankhen (2002), Waqt: A Race Against Time (2005), Namastey London (2007), Singh is Kingg (2008), Holiday (2014). Among these, Vipul had directed the first three.