John Abraham has officially begun shooting for his first film with director Rohit Shetty—a biopic based on the life of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria. Until recently, the team was spotted filming across South Mumbai, capturing real-life cityscapes to lend authenticity to the story.
As reported by Mid Day, now, the production has moved to Mira Road, where scenes are being filmed at Ellora Studios. A set replicating a police station has been constructed there, with John currently shooting some intense interrogation sequences.
From real locations to controlled setups
Reportedly, the shift from South Mumbai to an indoor studio was a deliberate move. “The South Mumbai portions gave the real-world texture to the story. Now, we’ve shifted to a more controlled setup,” a source revealed. The focus has now turned to the dramatic police station scenes, with detailed recreations of the high-profile investigations that Maria headed. The film reportedly sees daily participation of 50 to 100 people on set, indicating the scale and seriousness of the project.
A gritty take on Mumbai’s darkest chapters
While Rohit Shetty is best known for his high-octane cop films, this venture is being approached differently. “Unlike Rohit’s past cop action movies, this one is being mounted as a gritty procedural drama,” the source explained. The current schedule is dedicated to shooting intense indoor scenes, as the team navigates around the unpredictable monsoon weather.
In a major departure from his action-heavy spectacles, Rohit is said to be focusing on the psychological depth of Rakesh Maria—a man who handled some of Mumbai’s most difficult and dangerous cases. The biopic will reportedly feature five major action set pieces, all scheduled to be shot towards the end of August. Post-production is expected to begin soon. Scenes have already been filmed at several iconic Mumbai landmarks, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dongri, and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel—all crucial to bringing Maria’s journey to life.