Salman Khan to kickstart Vamshi Paidipally’s Bollywood debut amid Maatrubhumi delays?
With Maatrubhumi delayed, Salman Khan starts a new actioner with Dil Raju on April 14. A massive "mini-city" set in Goregaon is ready for the pan-India film, potentially starring Nayanthara.
Last Updated: 10.47 AM, Mar 26, 2026
As the fate of Salman Khan's military drama Maatrubhumi remains uncertain, the superstar is already shifting his attention to his next major project. According to insiders, Khan's high-octane action flick with South Indian makers Dil Raju and Vamshi Paidipally will begin filming on April 14.
What production challenges are currently stalling Maatrubhumi?
Everyone in the business has been wondering where Maatrubhumi (formerly Battle of Galwan) stands for months. The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, has encountered multiple production hurdles since its original April 17, 2026, release date. The biggest disappointment was the untimely death of actor-singer Prashant Tamang in January, who had the leading role as the film's antagonist. The crew is debating whether to recast and reshoot or extensively recreate the visual effects, as some crucial action scenes with Tamang remain unfinished.
The makers of Maatrubhumi are reportedly trying to get an Independence Day window for the film, but with no set date in sight, Khan may focus on his untitled project with Dil Raju for now.
What scale of preparations are being made for Vamshi Paidipally’s Hindi debut?
As per a report in Mid Day, massive preparations are underway for the forthcoming production, which will be Vamshi Paidipally's first outing in Hindi cinema. The film's intricate action demands have led to the construction of a massive set at Goregaon's SRPF Ground, where preparations have reached their peak.
An insider with knowledge of the production provided details about the first schedule's environment scale. They informed the tabloid, "This isn’t a regular set; it’s practically a mini-city. The set has been designed to resemble a dense urban area, which will be shown as a high-conflict zone where a large-scale action sequence plays out. Think of it almost like an industrial township."
Why was the SRPF Ground chosen as the filming location?
Since pyrotechnics and heavy machinery require a controlled atmosphere, the choice to employ the SRPF Ground—a location Khan has previously used for films like Tiger 3 and Sikandar—rose from that necessity. Blending the high-stakes action of a Dil Raju film with Paidipally's hallmark emotive storytelling, the tale is billed as a "pan-India" commercial entertainer.
The casting office is just as busy as the technical sections with the actual build. While Khan's involvement is certainly a selling point, reports have it that Nayanthara, fresh off her success in Jawan, is in talks to portray the lead female role.
How is the production team managing the tight pre-production timeline?
Starting in mid-April in synchronisation with all departments, the production crew is presently working under a tight timeline. The source disclosed that the team is concurrently engaged in the stage design, action choreography, and final casting. According to the source, "hitting the ground running" is the objective.
The schedule for Khan in 2026 looks to be getting more and busier as the start date of April 14 draws near. The superstar is said to be juggling the final reshoots for Maatrubhumi with his speculated collaboration with Raj & DK later this year, in addition to the initial schedule of the Dil Raju production. The "mini-city" is nearing completion for one of the most anticipated filming commencements of the year, so for now, everyone is focused on Goregaon.