Imtiaz Ali's 'Side Heroes' to Be Shot Entirely in Bihar, a First for Bollywood
Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain's 'Side Heroes' will be a rare Bollywood film shot completely in Bihar, starting January 14, 2027.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's upcoming production, Side Heroes, is set to become one of the few Bollywood films to be shot entirely in Bihar. The makers have chosen to film at authentic locations across the state, as the story is deeply rooted in the region's cultural landscape.
A source close to the project revealed that the team is currently scouting for a small town where a significant portion of the shoot will take place. Filming is scheduled to commence on January 14, 2027. The decision reflects a growing trend of filmmakers choosing to shoot Bihar-set stories within the state itself, rather than relying on look-alike locations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, or Uttar Pradesh.
The shift is supported by the Bihar Film Promotion Policy, which offers subsidies to filmmakers. The state's film development corporation has also streamlined clearance processes, making it easier for production teams to obtain necessary permissions. This institutional support is encouraging more productions to explore Bihar's authentic settings.
Ali, who was born in Jamshedpur and spent his early years in Patna, has a personal connection to the state. Side Heroes is described as a nostalgic and humorous tale of friendship and reunion, set in India's heartland. The film stars Varun Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, and will also introduce two new actresses.
The movie is produced by Ali, Mahaveer Jain, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, and Shikha K Ahluwalia. It is directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy and written by Siddarth Sen and Pankaj Matta. The film is planned for a theatrical release on Friendship Day 2027.