AKSHAY in Ashutosh Gowariker's Next!

Akki is Ashu's new action hero

The actor has joined hands with the Lagaan director to star in his upcoming action adventure to be made on a tentative budget of Rs 80 crore

Ashutosh Gowariker is known for thinking 'big'. The filmmaker who has worked with big stars like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan in films that are made on a huge canvas, is all set to launch his next production.

This time, the Lagaan director has roped in yet another A lister, Akshay Kumar for an action adventure to be made on a tentative budget of Rs 80 crore.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror, "Akshay and Ashutosh have always wanted to work with each other. However, it never worked out before. In fact, Akshay himself has wanted to do an action film for a long time. When Ashu met him about six months back, Akshay loved the idea for the film."

In these six months, the filmmaker worked on the script and got it ready. "Ashu met Akshay with the ready script. Akshay loved it and gave his nod of approval," added the source.

Talking about the film, the source revealed, "It has an adventurous storyline with a good dose of action. Ashutosh is in the process of hiring Hollywood technicians for the project. He will be taking the film on floors early next year."

About the approximate budget of Rs 80 crore, the source informed that a major corporate house would financially back Ashutosh Gowariker and Akshay Kumar, who will co-produce the project. "The film will be shot in virgin international locales. The leading lady is also to be finalised still," added the source.

Both Akshay Kumar and Ashutosh Gowariker remained unavailable for comment.