Akshay Kumar Bets on Another Remake: Signs Malayalam Thriller ‘Oppam’ Despite String of Flops

Akshay Kumar continues his streak of taking on remake projects in Bollywood. Despite a string of underwhelming performances at the box office, he is gearing up to try his luck again—this time with a Hindi remake of the Malayalam hit Oppam, originally starring Mohanlal.

Post-pandemic, Akshay Kumar has appeared in several remakes, none of which managed to click with audiences.

Among his remake attempts was Laxmii, based on the Tamil hit Kaanchana, and Cutputli, a remake of Ratsasan. Both films released directly on OTT platforms but failed to earn favourable reviews or responses from viewers.

More Remakes That Didn’t Click

Akshay also starred in Bachchhan Pandey, which was adapted from the Tamil film Jigarthanda. Another project, Selfiee, was a remake of the Malayalam film Driving License. His most recent remake was Sarfira, the official Hindi version of Soorarai Pottru, another Tamil success.

Clearly, Akshay has experimented with remakes across both Tamil and Malayalam cinema, though without much box office success so far.

Next Up: Oppam Hindi Version

Now, Akshay Kumar is eyeing another Malayalam remake—Oppam, which had Mohanlal in the lead and was well-received in Kerala. Although the original was a hit, it remains to be seen whether its Hindi counterpart will replicate that success.

There were earlier rumours suggesting that Saif Ali Khan might be the one to headline the remake, but it’s now confirmed that Akshay Kumar has taken it up.

Akshay and Saif Reunite After 17 Years

Adding to the buzz is the exciting reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after nearly two decades. The two stars are reuniting for Priyadarshan’s next directorial, which is said to be the Hindi adaptation of Oppam.

The remake is reportedly set to be a two-hero thriller, with both actors playing equally significant roles. Fans were quick to react with enthusiasm, as such star pairings are a rarity today.

The last time the duo appeared together was in Tashan (2008). Although it had a mixed performance at the box office, the film gained a cult following over the years.

A Nostalgic Pair with a Solid Past

Akshay and Saif’s onscreen chemistry goes back to the ’90s, when they delivered hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Tu Chor Main Sipahi, and Keemat.

Whether in action films or comedies, the two were known for their crowd-pleasing camaraderie.

Now, watching them team up in a thriller brings both nostalgia and a fresh twist to their cinematic journey.

Another Priyadarshan Collaboration in the Works

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is actively working with director Priyadarshan on multiple projects. The duo is currently shooting Bhoot Bangla, which marks their reunion after 14 years.

Their past collaborations include Bollywood classics like Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Garam Masala—films that still hold a special place among fans of comedy.

Additionally, the pair is also reuniting for the much-awaited Hera Pheri 3, a sequel fans have been eagerly anticipating since the last instalment left viewers with an open ending.

Shooting Timeline and Expectations

As for the Oppam remake, the shooting is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with a start-to-finish production plan. If all goes according to schedule, the film is expected to hit theatres in the second half of 2026.

With Priyadarshan directing and Akshay and Saif sharing screen space once again, the film is shaping up to be one of the most awaited projects in the coming year.

Fans have seen both actors shine individually across genres—but seeing them reunite in a suspense-filled thriller is set to be both a nostalgic experience and a promising new chapter.