Akshay Kumar & Vidya Balan Reunite for Anees Bazmee Film in Kerala
Synopsis
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan have flown to Kerala to shoot Anees Bazmee's untitled comedy — their 4th film together after three back-to-back blockbusters. Akshay also reunites with Bazmee after 15 years, making this one of Bollywood's most anticipated collaborations of the year.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan have flown to Kerala to begin shooting an untitled film directed by Anees Bazmee .
This is the fourth on-screen collaboration between Akshay and Vidya, following Heyy Babyy (2007) , Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) , and Mission Mangal (2019) — all box office hits.
Akshay and director Anees Bazmee are reuniting after a gap of nearly 15 years , their last film together being Thank You (2011) .
Akshay's other upcoming projects include Welcome to the Jungle (30+ cast members), Hera Pheri 3 , Haiwaan , and Golmaal 5 .
The untitled Bazmee film is being shot in Kerala , with cast and crew details to be revealed as production advances.
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan have officially kicked off the shoot of filmmaker Anees Bazmee's yet-untitled comedy drama in Kerala, marking one of Bollywood's most anticipated reunions of 2024. The actor announced the development through a social media post, confirming that the team has headed to God's Own Country to begin principal photography. This marks the fourth on-screen collaboration between Akshay and Vidya — a pairing that has delivered nothing but blockbusters.
Akshay Announces Kerala Shoot on Social Media
Akshay Kumar shared a video clip on his official social media handle showing him and Vidya Balan boarding an aircraft together, with the two walking hand-in-hand as he guided her onto the plane. The moment instantly went viral among fans of both stars.
In his caption, Akshay wrote: "Next stop: God's own country, the magical Keralam. Anees Bazmi's next is my fourth film with the ever fabulous @balanvidya and I hope the good luck charm of our jodi continues." The warmth and chemistry between the two actors was evident even off-screen, generating significant buzz ahead of the film's release.
Kerala, known for its lush landscapes and cinematic grandeur, has increasingly become a preferred shooting destination for major Bollywood productions, offering both visual richness and logistical advantages.
A Reunion 15 Years in the Making
This project is significant not just for the Akshay–Vidya pairing but also for the return of Akshay Kumar and director Anees Bazmee after a gap of nearly 15 years. Their previous collaborations — "Welcome" (2007), "Singh Is Kinng" (2008), and "Thank You" (2011) — were all major commercial successes, establishing the duo as a reliable box-office formula in Hindi cinema.
The reunion of this creative trio — Akshay, Vidya, and Bazmee — is being viewed by trade analysts as a high-potential commercial venture, combining proven star power with a director known for his mastery of ensemble comedies.
Notably, Anees Bazmee has consistently delivered crowd-pleasing entertainers over two decades, and pairing him with two of Bollywood's most versatile performers signals a project built for mainstream success.
Akshay and Vidya's Unbeaten Box Office Record Together
The Akshay Kumar–Vidya Balan jodi has a flawless track record at the box office. Their previous films together — "Heyy Babyy" (2007), "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" (2007), and "Mission Mangal" (2019) — were all massive commercial hits, collectively earning hundreds of crores.
"Bhool Bhulaiyaa" in particular became a cult classic and spawned a successful franchise, with its sequel "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2" (2022) — featuring Kartik Aaryan — also becoming one of the biggest hits of that year. The original's legacy underscores just how powerful the Akshay–Vidya combination can be when given the right material.
With Bazmee at the helm — a director who understands comic timing and audience pulse — the expectations for this fourth outing are naturally sky-high.
Akshay Kumar's Packed Upcoming Lineup
Beyond this project, Akshay Kumar has one of the busiest schedules in Bollywood. He is set to appear in "Welcome to the Jungle", directed by Ahmed Khan, which features a staggering ensemble of over 30 actors including Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Daler Mehndi, Urvashi Rautela, and many more.
His promising pipeline also includes "Haiwaan" alongside Saif Ali Khan, the long-awaited "Hera Pheri 3" with Suniel Shetty, and "Golmaal 5" — all of which are franchise films with massive built-in audiences.
This level of activity signals Akshay Kumar's aggressive strategy to reclaim his position as Bollywood's most bankable star after a string of underperformers in recent years. Pairing with proven collaborators like Bazmee and Vidya Balan reflects a deliberate, risk-managed approach to his comeback arc.
What to Expect Next
Further details about the cast, crew, and release timeline of Anees Bazmee's untitled film are expected to be revealed progressively as the Kerala shoot advances. Given the track record of everyone involved, the film is likely to target a major festive release window.
As the shoot progresses and more cast members are potentially added, industry watchers will be closely tracking announcements. For now, the combination of Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, and Anees Bazmee is enough to keep Bollywood audiences eagerly counting down to the film's eventual premiere.
Point of View
Vidya Balan, and Anees Bazmee coming together is more than a feel-good Bollywood story — it's a calculated industry signal. After a difficult phase of box office disappointments, Akshay is visibly retreating to trusted creative partnerships rather than experimental territory, a pattern that mirrors how stars globally rebuild commercial credibility. What's telling is that both Vidya and Bazmee are known for discipline and content-first filmmaking, suggesting Akshay may be prioritising script quality over star-studded spectacle. If this film delivers, it won't just be a hit — it will redefine how Bollywood's biggest stars engineer career revivals.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which film are Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan shooting in Kerala?
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan are currently shooting an untitled film directed by Anees Bazmee in Kerala. The project has not yet been given an official title, with further details expected to be announced as the shoot progresses.
How many films have Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan done together?
This upcoming Anees Bazmee film will be the fourth collaboration between Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan. Their previous three films together — Heyy Babyy (2007), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), and Mission Mangal (2019) — were all major box office hits.
When did Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee last work together?
Akshay Kumar and director Anees Bazmee last collaborated on Thank You in 2011, making this reunion a gap of approximately 15 years. Their earlier films together include Welcome (2007) and Singh Is Kinng (2008), both blockbusters.
What other upcoming movies does Akshay Kumar have?
Akshay Kumar has a packed lineup including Welcome to the Jungle, Haiwaan with Saif Ali Khan, Hera Pheri 3 with Suniel Shetty, and Golmaal 5. He is one of the busiest actors in Bollywood with multiple major franchise films in the pipeline.
Why is Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan's pairing considered lucky?
The Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan pairing is considered a box office good luck charm because all three of their previous films — Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Mission Mangal — were massive commercial successes. Akshay himself referred to Vidya as his jodi's good luck charm in his social media post announcing the Kerala shoot.
