Following ‘Singham Again’ (2024), blockbuster filmmaker Rohit Shetty started work on a gritty action entertainer inspired by the life of decorated police officer Rakesh Maria. Reports from January this year revealed that the film carries the title ‘Maria IPS’.
John Abraham to be seen in never-before-seen avatar
Now, according to Bollywood Hungama, John will be seen in a never-before-seen avatar in the film. ‘Maria IPS’ spans nearly 40 years in the life of Rakesh Maria, tracing his journey from his 20s to his 60s. For the portions featuring Maria in his 20s and 30s, John bulked up and put on muscle to look the part. For the scenes where the character is in his late 50s and 60s, the actor underwent another physical transformation, losing weight to sport a leaner and fitter look. John has never undergone this kind of physical transformation for a film before. Audiences will get to see him across different stages of Rakesh Maria’s life, and his transformation is sure to take them by surprise.
‘Maria IPS’ shot at Western Railway premises
In February, reports surfaced that parts of ‘Maria IPS’ were filmed across several Western Railway premises. According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway (WR), John shot scenes for the film at the WR Headquarters in Churchgate, as well as at Lower Parel and Mumbai Central railway stations.
‘Maria IPS’ began filming in July 2025
‘Maria IPS’ started filming in July 2025, with the initial schedule taking place at Ellora Studios near Mumbai, where a police station set was constructed for the shoot. In the two weeks that followed, John Abraham and Rohit Shetty filmed a series of dramatic police station scenes and intense interrogation sequences.
