Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain’s upcoming film Side Heroes is reportedly set to be filmed entirely in Bihar. The makers are planning to shoot the friendship comedy at real locations across the state instead of recreating its setting elsewhere.
The decision is closely connected to the story, which is rooted in Bihar. The production team believes that filming within the state will allow the locations, surroundings and atmosphere to become an authentic part of the narrative.
Preparations for the shoot are currently underway, with the team searching for a small town where a significant portion of the film can be completed. Production is expected to begin on January 14, 2027, although the makers have yet to officially announce the complete shooting schedule.
Side Heroes is described as a humorous friendship-reunion film with an element of nostalgia. The film stars Varun Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurana in the lead roles. The makers also plan to introduce two new actresses through the project, but their identities have not been revealed yet.
Ssanjay Tripaathy will direct the film from a screenplay written by Siddarth Sen and Pankaj Matta. Siddarth previously directed Good Luck Jerry. The production team includes Imtiaz Ali, Mahaveer Jain, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and Shikha K Ahluwalia.
The Bihar Film Promotion Policy also offers financial incentives to eligible productions. These measures are intended to make it easier for filmmakers to use local locations rather than filming Bihar-based stories in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh.
By shooting the complete film in Bihar, Side Heroes will use the state as more than a narrative backdrop. The locations selected during the ongoing search are expected to shape the film’s visual identity and heartland setting.
The makers are reportedly planning to release Side Heroes theatrically around Friendship Day in 2027. Further details about the two new actresses, filming locations and the final release date are still awaited.