Bhumi Pednekar is set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for filmmaker Priyadarshan's upcoming comedy-thriller, bringing the actors together on screen four years after Raksha Bandhan. Priyadarshan has confirmed Bhumi's casting as the leading lady in the yet-untitled project, which will mark his 99th directorial venture.
The film will also be Akshay and Bhumi's third collaboration after Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Raksha Bandhan. While the makers are yet to formally reveal the complete cast, title and release date, reports suggest that the film will be a period comedy-thriller set in the 1970s.
Bhumi Pednekar Joins Akshay Kumar as Leading Lady
Bhumi Pednekar has reportedly been finalised as the female lead opposite Akshay Kumar in the upcoming project. Priyadarshan confirmed her casting, putting an end to speculation surrounding the film's leading actress.
The project will bring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar together after a gap of four years. Their most recent film together was Aanand L Rai's Raksha Bandhan, which arrived in cinemas in 2022. Details about Bhumi's character are currently being kept under wraps, leaving her role in the story open to speculation until an official announcement reveals more.
Akshay and Bhumi Reunite After Raksha Bandhan
Although Raksha Bandhan was their last film together, this upcoming project will actually mark the actors' third collaboration. Akshay and Bhumi first shared the screen in the 2017 social drama Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. Five years later, they reunited for Raksha Bandhan. Their new film takes them into a noticeably different setting, with Priyadarshan reportedly planning a comedy-thriller rather than another family or socially driven drama.
The reunion also adds a familiar pairing to a project that extends Akshay's long-running creative association with Priyadarshan. The actor and filmmaker have previously collaborated on several popular Hindi comedies, making their latest project particularly notable for fans of their work together.
Also read: Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli at Krishna Das Kirtan in Mumbai
Priyadarshan's 99th Film Reportedly Set in the 1970s
The upcoming movie will be Priyadarshan's 99th directorial venture, taking the veteran filmmaker another step closer to the milestone of 100 films. The story is reportedly set during the 1970s and will feature Akshay Kumar as a hunter. Priyadarshan had earlier confirmed that the actor would play a hunter in the film.
Other reports have described the character more specifically as a tiger hunter and suggested that the story could combine comedy with thriller elements. However, the complete plot has not yet been officially disclosed. The project has also been linked with the reported title Wicked Sunny, although an official title announcement is still awaited.
Shooting Expected to Begin in November 2026
The film is expected to go on floors in the final week of November 2026, with production reportedly planned across multiple locations. Rajasthan and Mumbai are among the expected shooting destinations, while Bhopal has also been mentioned as a possible location.
The production is backed by Ramesh Taurani, while Rajpal Yadav and Annu Kapoor have also been reported as part of the ensemble cast. With Bhumi now joining Akshay as the leading lady, attention will turn towards the project's official title and the remaining cast announcements. No theatrical release date has been confirmed yet, making the start of production the next major development expected from Priyadarshan's 99th film.
Also read: Janhvi Kapoor Calls Peddi Controversy a Violating Experience