‘Samuk’: Akshay Kumar Set To Headline India’s First Alien Action Thriller; Hollywood Experts Come on Board
Akshay Kumar has confirmed his next major project, Samuk, an ambitious sci-fi survival horror film marketed as India’s first large-scale alien thriller slated for a 2027 theatrical release. The movie will be directed by Kanishk Varma and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has confirmed his next major cinematic project, an ambitious sci-fi survival horror titled Samuk. Marketed as India’s first large-scale alien thriller, the film marks an entirely new creative direction for the actor. The project is a collaboration with filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and will be directed by Kanishk Varma, with a theatrical release scheduled for 2027. ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ Title Track Out: Akshay Kumar’s Nostalgic Comedy Franchise Song Sparks Mixed Reactions Online (Watch Video).
Akshay Kumar To Lead Alien Action Film ‘Samuk’
Confirming the project, Akshay Kumar expressed high enthusiasm for exploring an unmapped territory in Indian commercial cinema. He told HT City, "Yes, I’ve signed this film. I found the script and subject of Samuk fascinating. Sci-fi alien thriller is a totally new genre for me, and also for our films. I am very excited about it," Kumar stated.
The film plans to push boundaries by blending high-stakes survival horror with grounded, live-action stunts. Director Kanishk Varma revealed that the concept was born from his personal interest in elite security forces and classic Hollywood sci-fi horror. Varma noted that the film's tone will uniquely merge the universe of Special Protection Group (SPG) security operations with the isolation and dread seen in survival thrillers.
Hollywood Experts Join ‘Samuk’ Production
To achieve international standards, the production has enlisted prominent Hollywood technical veterans. Academy Award-nominated creature-effects designer Alec Gillis, renowned for his work on iconic franchises such as Alien and Predator, has signed on to bring the film's central antagonist to life.
Defying modern trends heavily reliant on digital automation, the creative team plans to design the creature using traditional, handcrafted, practical effects rather than CGI and Artificial Intelligence. Gillis praised Kumar’s on-screen presence, comparing his physical prowess to Jason Statham and his relatability to Tom Cruise, noting that creating a monster capable of matching the actor's screen charisma is an exciting challenge.
British stunt coordinator and former Royal Marines Commando Luke Tumber will manage the action design. Tumber, whose credentials include Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and No Time to Die, stated that the film represents a fusion of visionary filmmaking and authentic action designed to resonate with global audiences.
More About ‘Samuk’
Samuk is co-produced by Aashin A Shah alongside Vipul Amrutlal Shah, marking a notable reunion between the producer and Akshay Kumar after 12 years. The production house aims to deliver a world-class theatrical experience that introduces domestic audiences to a cinematic sub-genre rarely explored with such technical gravity in India. Akshay Kumar Wraps Kerala Schedule for Anees Bazmee’s Next, Shares Photo With Co-Stars Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna.
While Indian cinema has previously featured extraterrestrial elements in mainstream commercial successes such as the friendly aliens in Koi... Mil Gaya and PK Samuk intend to deviate strictly toward a gritty survival horror experience. Production is leveraging international expertise to build a tangible, tactile cinematic world, setting up the 2027 release as one of the most unique offerings in modern Indian cinema.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 25, 2026 10:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
