Our Bureau
Mumbai
Akshay Kumar is set to play a hunter inspired by legendary naturalist Jim Corbett in filmmaker Priyadarshan’s next film, an untitled comic thriller centred on wildlife conservation. The film will be set in 1960s India and is expected to be shot entirely in forests, marking another unconventional collaboration between the actor-director duo.
According to reports, Kumar’s character will be a skilled hunter and tracker who develops an intimate understanding of the forest. Initially, he hunts man-eating tigers and leopards that threaten his village. His perspective gradually changes as he witnesses the consequences of poaching and deforestation, eventually leading him towards wildlife conservation.
While the fictional character draws inspiration from Corbett’s life, the film is not being positioned as a biopic. Instead, Priyadarshan is expected to blend the environmental theme with comedy and thriller elements, creating a story that combines adventure with a message about protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
The project will be Priyadarshan and Kumar’s ninth film together. Their association has previously produced popular films including Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Khatta Meetha and Bhooth Bangla. Their latest collaboration, Haiwaan, is scheduled for release on September 11.
Priyadarshan is expected to begin pre-production in October, with shooting planned to commence in January 2027. The team is reportedly considering forest locations in Rajasthan and Gujarat and plans to film the project in one continuous schedule.