Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan to Reunite for Wildlife Conservation Thriller Set in 1960s India

Akshay Kumar and filmmaker Priyadarshan are set to collaborate for the ninth time, and their upcoming project marks a significant departure from their well-known comic repertoire. The yet-untitled film will centre on wildlife conservation, with Kumar portraying a character inspired by the legendary hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett.

The narrative, set in the forests of 1960s India, will follow a hunter and tracker who initially kills man-eating tigers and leopards to protect his village. However, his perspective shifts as he confronts the destructive consequences of poaching and deforestation, ultimately leading him to become a vocal advocate for wildlife preservation.

Priyadarshan is developing the project as a comic thriller, ensuring that humour remains a key element despite the serious subject matter. The film is planned for a start-to-finish shoot in forest locations, with pre-production expected to begin in October. A recce of jungles in Rajasthan and Gujarat is anticipated following the release of the duo's upcoming film, Haiwaan.

The female lead and the film's title have not yet been announced. This project follows a long association between Kumar and Priyadarshan, which includes popular comedies such as Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Bhagam Bhag. Their latest collaboration, Haiwaan, is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026.