Akshay Kumar is set to begin filming for Abhishek Sharma's upcoming film Ram Setu. The project will have its muhurat on 18 March.
Shooting will take place across multiple locations. Sharma has confirmed that 80% of filming will take place in Mumbai.
Speaking about the film, Sharma said, "Akshay sir plays an archaeologist and his look and character is inspired by several international and Indian professionals who work in the field. In terms of look and character, Akshay sir’s fans are in for a totally new avatar of his.”
The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha. Speaking of their roles, Sharma said, "They both play strong, independent women with well-etched out parts. We are keeping their looks under wraps for now.”
The unit decided on the muhurat shot in Ayodhya on the suggestion of Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the creative producer. Dwivedi said in a statement, "“Having visited Ayodhya several times myself, I suggested to Akshay and the team that we should launch the production schedule with blessings from the holy temple of Lord Ram. We are scheduled to hold our mahurat shot in Ayodhya and commence filming on an auspicious note.”
The film was announced on Diwali 2020 and received permission to shoot in Ayodhya in December 2020.
The film will be backed by Abundantia Entertainment. Vikram Malhotra of Abundantia Entertainment said, "For Ram Setu, there will be strict protocols in place, including travel and stay bio-bubbles, frequent health checks, and a professional agency on-board to manage these protocols all through. Given the complexity of the story and ensuing locations, VFX, etc, the production will be spread across multiple schedules over the next few months.”
"Akshay, as well as Abundantia Entertainment, have been fortunate to have successfully completed filming, post-production, and even the release of several of our productions through the pandemic period. So there is enough learning and experience to manage production with mitigated and controlled COVID-19 related risks," Malhotra said.
The producer also said, "Today, as the younger generation grows curious about its heritage, there has never been a better time to tell stories anchored deep in the cultural fabric of our country.”