We had reported earlier that Akshay Kumar has signed a three-film contract with Fox Star India. The first of these films will be Mission Mangal, a space-travel based drama that has Akshay lead an ensemble cast. The actor has shared the picture of the 'team' that he will be sharing the screen with, thereby confirming his co-stars in the film. And going by the cast shown in the picture, it will be a reunion for Akshay with some of his popular leading ladies. ‘2.0’ Star Akshay Kumar Signs Three-Film Deal With Fox Star Studios, Soon to Start Shooting for ‘Mission Mangal’.

So sharing screen space with Akshay in the movie are Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen and Kirti Kulhari. Out of which, only Nithya Menen (making her Bollywood debut) and Kirti Kulhari have not worked with Akshay before. Vidya had romanced Akshay in Hey Babyy, while she also had a cameo of his wife in Thank You! Sonakshi has worked with him in quite a few movies like Rowdy Rathore, Boss and Joker. Taapsee and Akshay have worked in Baby and its spinoff, Naam Shabana. The team also involves Sharman Joshi, who is also working with Akshay for the first time. Akshay Kumar to Play a Supporting Role in Vidya Balan, Radhika Apte’s Film With R Balki

Mission Mangal has begun shooting from November 5, which also marks the date when India's first Mars mission has been launched. The movie is reportedly based on the woman scientists who were working on the project, leading to speculations that it is inspired by the Hollywood film Hidden Figures. Akshay is working with his PadMan director R Balki again, though the latter is serving only as a producer. Mission Mangal will be directed by Jagan Shakti.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 05, 2018 06:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).