Salman Khan Confirms Apoorva Lakhia’s Next Film Starts in July; In Talks with Kabir Khan for Future Projects

Apoorva Lakhia’s Next Features Salman Khan as an Army Officer for the First Time; Joins Forces with 3 Young Actors – Detailed Report

Over the last three months, Salman Khan has been in discussions with several filmmakers regarding his next big screen project, following the highly anticipated Eid 2025 release, Sikandar. His iconic Galaxy Apartments and Panvel farmhouse have been buzzing with activity, as directors from all corners of the industry visited to pitch their ideas and secure Salman’s approval for his next venture.

Among the directors Salman met were Ali Abbas Zafar, who presented two scripts, Raaj Shandilyaa (known for comedy), Rajkumar Periasamy (with an action-thriller), Anees Bazmee (another comedy), Krish Ahir (for his project Gangaram), and Kabir Khan, to name just a few.

However, the script that seems to have won Salman over for his immediate next project is a military-based action thriller by Apoorva Lakhia. The film, which will see Salman portray an army officer for the first time, promises to be a high-intensity, action-packed film that is expected to set new benchmarks in his career.

According to sources close to the development, Salman Khan and Apoorva Lakhia’s upcoming film is based on the highly acclaimed novel India’s Most Fearless 3, which focuses on the dramatic and intense 2020 Galwan Valley Conflict. This will be Salman Khan’s first-ever portrayal of an army officer in a full-fledged role, and the film promises to offer an action-packed, emotionally charged experience for audiences.

“Apoorva Lakhia and Salman Khan are all set to begin shooting for this high-octane thriller in July 2025. The filming will take place in two primary locations: Ladakh and Mumbai, with an intense 70-day shooting schedule. The shoot will kick off in July, capturing the raw and rugged beauty of Ladakh and then moving to Mumbai, where some sets will be recreated in a grand way at a studio,” a source close to the project revealed.

This action-packed film will see Salman Khan in a never-seen-before avatar as an army officer. Sources indicate that the character will be deeply involved in the Galwan Valley conflict, which is one of the most significant military confrontations between India and China in recent history. With Apoorva Lakhia’s direction, the film is expected to not only capture the high-stakes nature of the conflict but also bring out the humanity and courage involved in real-life situations, with a focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of the soldiers.

The source further adds that Apoorva Lakhia will be heading to Ladakh in the next two weeks to conduct a recce and make final decisions about locations and shooting logistics. At the same time, the process of finalizing the Heads of Departments (HODs) for the film, including costume designers, action choreographers, and production designers, is already underway.

“At present, everything is on track for the film to commence shooting in July 2025. Salman is fully committed to this project, and this will be his next film unless there is a significant turn of events in the coming weeks. He strongly believes that this is a terrific script with great potential for a big-screen experience. Salman has always been known for taking bold steps, and in this case, he has shown immense faith in Apoorva Lakhia to deliver an authentic and sincere portrayal of the Galwan Valley conflict,” said the source.

In terms of casting, while Salman Khan will play the lead role, three other younger actors are also expected to join the ensemble cast, though the names have yet to be officially revealed. The casting will focus on talent from the younger generation to balance out the dynamic of the seasoned army officer played by Salman.

The film will be shot at real locations in Ladakh, which will add authenticity and depth to the scenes, with some locations also being recreated at a studio in Mumbai. The action sequences are expected to be intense, and with a focus on realism, the film aims to bring an honest retelling of the events from the Galwan Valley.

As the film spans over two nights, the logistics of shooting a large portion of the story in Ladakh, followed by studio work in Mumbai, make the planned 70-day shoot a reality. The filmmakers are confident that they will be able to wrap up the shoot within this time frame, keeping the production timeline tight and efficient.

Kabir Khan’s Next With Salman Khan Won’t Be Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2; A Fresh, Original Drama in the Works – Latest Update

While Kabir Khan is reportedly in discussions for his fourth collaboration with Salman Khan, it appears that the long-speculated Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 will not be a part of their future projects. Kabir Khan, known for his aversion to sequels, has firmly stated that he doesn’t want to revisit a classic like Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Although he did hear the script idea cracked by Vijayendra Prasad for a sequel, sources close to the filmmaker have revealed that Kabir isn’t keen on going down that road.

Instead, Kabir Khan has pitched an original, larger-than-life drama to Salman Khan, which is currently under consideration. This new project, which promises to bring something fresh to their collaboration, could potentially be the next major film Salman will sign up for after his commitment to Apoorva Lakhia‘s military-based action thriller. However, no official confirmation has been made yet regarding this project.

As for Salman Khan’s immediate plans, the actor is scheduled to begin filming Apoorva Lakhia‘s film in July 2025. The shoot will span from July to October, with Kabir Khan‘s film potentially following in November. “The current plan is for Salman to finish Apoorva Lakhia’s film by October, and then begin work with Kabir Khan from November,” the source added.

While this timeline is currently in place, the nature of Salman Khan’s career means that there could be some unpredictability. Over the years, Salman has often made last-minute changes to his projects, depending on exciting new offers that come his way. Directors continue to approach him, hoping for the opportunity to collaborate, and it’s only when the project officially starts filming that fans and insiders will know which direction Salman decides to take next.

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