Renowned screenwriter Ritesh Shah, celebrated for his impactful writing in Pink, Airlift, and Sardar Udham, has officially made the transition from page to screen. And for his directorial debut, he is leaving no stone unturned – bringing together the powerhouse trio of Manoj Bajpayee, Saqib Saleem, and Akshay Oberoi for an intense thriller set to hit Netflix in 2026.
From Page To Picture: Ritesh Shah’s Big Move Behind The Camera
For years, Ritesh Shah’s work has sparked national conversation. Now as he moves into directing, expectations are bound to be high. As per industry sources, Shah began shooting in Mumbai on April 18, before heading to Bhopal, where a handful of cast members have been recently photographed filming on location.
“The film will unfold throughout multiple parts of India in May and June. It’s a thriller with lots of surprises — a layered structure that has become the New Normal of Neeraj Pandey and supported by him as a Creative Producer,” a source explained.
While the source would not divulge any plot details, they insisted that the script has the heart and sharp twists and turns that Ritesh Shah is known for, combining his known writing craft with a directorial perspective.
An Unlikely But Promising Trio
This film brings together three actors who have each significantly shaped their own corners of the industry:
- Manoj Bajpayee, who currently stars in The Family Man is front and centre with more heft and intensity than any of the other actors.
- Saqib Saleem is recently finishing up a series of web shows and brings a youthful element to the mix.
- Akshay Oberoi, who is often quite understated and undervalued, rounds out a trio with depth.
This trio appears to have a combination of grounded, gritty content — or at least that is the promise — that is not going to be the same old, formulaic commercial cinema.
Neeraj Pandey is the Creative Producer
With Neeraj Pandey listed as creative producer, viewers can look forward to an intelligent thriller that will be filled with realism. Pandey, who is behind films like Special 26, Baby, and A Wednesday, has a reputation for sticking to engaging, tight narratives with the added benefit of heightened recall value. His association is important to the project, and given his associations, the project has the potential to go beyond the ordinary OTT release.
Netflix Release in 2026
While the film is currently untitled, it is getting notice from inside the film and OTT industry. Reports confirm that Netflix India has picked up the rights for the film with a target release window of 2026. With the appetite for grounded thrillers and narratives with political undertones, this project holds promise in resonating across youth and elder demographics.
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Box Office Worldwide Verdict
Ritesh Shah’s first time behind the camera has all the right attributes — an engaging cast, a trusted creative partner in Neeraj Pandey, and a platform like Netflix. If his writing track record is any indication, this thriller will not only be entertaining, it will also challenge, create confusion and perplexity, and remain with you long after the title card has appeared.
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