Bollywood megastar Salman Khan seems to be charting a bold new course in his career. While he is currently preparing for his upcoming film Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, new reports reveal that he is already planning his next cinematic move, and it might just take fans by surprise. According to multiple sources, Salman is in advanced discussions with acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan for a unique period action thriller set between the 1970s and 1990s.
The two are said to have had several meetings over the past few months, with the most recent one taking place just a week ago in Mumbai. A trusted source close to the development revealed, “Salman and Mahesh have met four to five times already. They’ve been jamming on multiple story ideas, and Salman has shown keen interest in a particular period-action concept. He has given a verbal go-ahead, and Mahesh will now return with a complete narration.”
If finalized, this would mark a significant shift for Salman, who hasn’t explored the period-action genre extensively in his three-decade-long career. The partnership, if it happens, will feature the superstar in a never-before-seen avatar that is gritty, realist, and set within the socio-political context of the 70s to 90s.
A Character Outside Salman’s Comfort Zone
Salman Khan has traditionally made his mark with big, larger-than-life roles and masala films. But insiders indicate that the actor is working towards reinventing himself with complex roles that cut against his image. His choice to greenlight Galwan, a dramatic recreation of the Galwan Valley skirmish, is a move in this direction already. The Mahesh Narayanan project serves to further solidify this new creative intent.
“The idea is to do something that takes him out of his comfort zone,” says the source. “This character and the world Mahesh is building are entirely new to Salman. It’s a story that requires a nuanced performance, and he’s excited about diving into that space.”
While the final script is still in development, sources claim that the film will be packed with period detail, political undertones, and intense action sequences—grounded in realism rather than over-the-top spectacle.
Who is Mahesh Narayanan?
For the uninitiated, Mahesh Narayanan is one of Malayalam cinema’s most well-regarded directors. With critical successes like Take Off, C U Soon, and Malik under his belt, he’s built a niche for delivering riveting stories with socio-political undertones. His own distinctive visual style, grounded method of filming, and technical facility have created a loyal following and the respect of fellow directors.
With Mahesh and Salman put together, the resulting movie would combine mass popularity with cinematic elegance, something of a rarity in mass-market Hindi movies.
Parallel Talks with Kabir Khan
Interestingly, Mahesh Narayanan isn’t the only director Salman is in talks with. The actor has also been having parallel conversations with his longtime collaborator Kabir Khan. The two have previously delivered hits like Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and Tubelight. Their camaraderie and creative synergy are well documented.
“They are actively discussing multiple ideas,” the insider confirms. “From high-octane dramas to sleek action thrillers and, of course, the much-anticipated Bajrangi Bhaijaan sequel, they’re exploring several directions. There’s definitely an intent to work together again soon.”
This reveals that Salman is not only open to experimenting with genres but is also strategically planning a mix of mass and content-driven cinema for the next phase of his career.
What’s Next?
At the moment, Salman is fully focused on Galwan, which begins filming in Ladakh later this month. The shoot is expected to run through November or December 2025. Meanwhile, Mahesh Narayanan is expected to complete his ongoing Malayalam projects. If things go as planned, the duo could begin pre-production on their collaborative venture by early 2026.
While no official announcement has been made yet, sources say fans can expect “100 percent clarity” on the Mahesh Narayanan film before the end of 2025.
Final Thoughts
Salman Khan and Mahesh Narayanan’s potential coming together is an exciting departure for both the stars. For Salman, it’s an opportunity to break away from formula and go in the direction of more sustenance-packed storytelling. For Mahesh, it’s an opportunity to go pan-India with a big-name actor without giving up on his style of filmmaking.
If everything goes according to plan, this action thriller set in a bygone era can be one of the most anticipated films of 2026, offering both spectacle and substance. Meanwhile, fans will be keeping their fingers crossed as Salman explores new territory and rewrites his cinematic history.