John Abraham Undergoes Major Physical Transformation for Rohit Shetty’s Maria IPS
Following the success of Singham Again (2024), action filmmaker Rohit Shetty has begun work on his next feature, Maria IPS. The biographical action drama is based on the life and career of decorated former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria. To portray the iconic police officer across four decades, lead actor John Abraham is undergoing the most extensive physical transformation of his career.
The narrative of Maria IPS spans nearly 40 years of Rakesh Maria’s service, tracing his journey from his early 20s through his late 60s. To convincingly capture these distinct life stages, Abraham altered his physical build to match the requirements of each era. For the sequence depicting Maria’s early service years in his 20s and 30s, the actor bulked up significantly to build a heavier muscle mass. Conversely, for portions depicting Maria in his late 50s and 60s, Abraham underwent a targeted weight-loss routine to adopt a leaner frame.
Production Overview and Filming Schedules
Initial Schedule: Principal photography launched in July 2025 at Ellora Studios near Mumbai, where the production team erected a full-scale police station set for high-intensity interrogation and dramatic sequences.
Railway Station Locations: Filming expanded across prominent Western Railway facilities in Mumbai. Key portions were filmed on location at the Western Railway Headquarters in Churchgate, as well as Lower Parel and Mumbai Central stations.
Character Scope: The project marks the first time John Abraham has physically aged across a 40-year character span within a single film.
By combining Rohit Shetty’s signature directorial scale with a detailed biographical narrative, Maria IPS promises an intense look into one of India’s most high-profile law enforcement officers. The film continues its production phase ahead of further announcements regarding the rest of the ensemble cast and release timeline. Stay tuned to know more about it and others only with us and if you have anything to share do comment and let your thoughts come out.
