After a string of social comedies, Ayushmann Khurrana is returning to the gritty, high-stakes territory reminiscent of his acclaimed film 'Andhadhun'. Reports have confirmed that the actor has quietly begun filming his next project, a hard-hitting thriller set against the scenic yet mysterious backwaters of Kerala.
New Thriller Project Announced
According to Variety India, Khurrana is leading this still-untitled film produced by Akshaye Widhani, pitched as a hard-hitting thriller. The actor cautiously kicked off shooting in the first week of April in Kerala and is slated to wrap the entire schedule by the end of May in a single, continuous stretch. Sameer Saxena, best known for directing the critically acclaimed Netflix series 'Kaala Paani', is at the helm, making this his first directorial venture in a theatrical feature film.
Ayushmann Khurrana as an Ordinary Man in a Nightmare
The makers are keeping the storyline closely guarded to preserve the film's suspense, but according to reports, Ayushmann will portray a regular man who suddenly finds himself in a terrifying mess. This high-stakes, race-against-time thriller also features a supporting cast made up mostly of relatively unknown actors. Posham Pa Pictures is making its theatrical debut with this thriller, after earning praise for shows like 'Kaala Paani', 'Maamla Legal Hai', and 'Home Shanti'. The company's next project is the Prime Video series 'Adarsh Baal Bidyalaya', headlined by Kay Kay Menon and Naveen Kasturia.
Ayushmann Khurrana's Third Outing with YRF and 2026 Releases
Meanwhile, this film will be Ayushmann's third outing with Yash Raj Films (YRF), following 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' (2015) and 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' (2017). It also signals his move into the thriller space, breaking away from his recent sequence of back-to-back comedies. Later in 2026, he has three movies set for release: 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do' on May 15, followed by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment's 'Udta Teer' with Sara Ali Khan on September 11, and Sooraj Barjatya's 'Yeh Prem Mol Liya' opposite Sharvari on November 27.
