Actress Kritika Kamra has signed on to headline an untitled drama — currently going by the working title 'Dumbbell' — marking the directorial debut of Pushaan Mukherjee, the writer behind the Kunal Kemmu-starrer crime series 'Abhay'. The film is set to go on floors in June 2025, with Kamra reportedly already deep in character preparation ahead of the shoot.

What We Know About 'Dumbbell'

The project is being mounted as a drama, though the makers are keeping plot details tightly under wraps. Industry sources confirm that the working title is Dumbbell and that the production is structured as a feature film. According to sources close to the project, Kamra was drawn to the material precisely because of how distinct it is from her earlier work.

'Kritika was immediately drawn to the world of the film because of how different it is from her previous work. As a drama, the film gives her immense scope as a performer, and she has already started prep to fully immerse herself in the character before cameras roll next month,' a source said.

Why This Project Stands Out

For Pushaan Mukherjee, the film is a significant step — transitioning from screenwriting to the director's chair. His writing credentials are anchored in 'Abhay', the gritty crime thriller that earned critical attention for its taut storytelling and earned Kunal Kemmu considerable praise. A directorial debut backed by a lead actress of Kamra's calibre signals genuine industry confidence in the project.

Notably, Kamra has consistently gravitated toward performance-driven roles — from the investigative journalist in Reporters (2015) to the socially charged ensemble of Bheed (2023) and the period drama Bambai Meri Jaan (2023). Dumbbell appears to continue that pattern.

Kritika Kamra's Career Trajectory

Kamra made her acting debut in 2007 with Yahan Ke Hum Sikandar, before breaking into wider recognition with Kitani Mohabbat Hai (2009), where she played singer Arohi. Television roles in Pyaar Ka Bandhan, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, and Prem Ya Paheli – Chandrakanta followed before she pivoted to film and digital content.

Her film debut came in 2018 with Mitron. She subsequently appeared in the political web series Tandav (2021), Bheed (2023), Bambai Meri Jaan (2023), and most recently Gyaarah Gyaarah. Her current streaming release, Matka King — which co-stars Vijay Varma as a fictional gambling lord navigating the illegal matka trade in post-independence Mumbai — had its second season greenlit on 7 May 2025.

What to Watch Next

With the June 2025 shoot schedule confirmed and Kamra's preparation already underway, an official announcement on the full cast and storyline of Dumbbell is expected in the weeks ahead. The film adds to a growing slate of director-debut projects attracting established OTT-era talent.