Bhumi Pednekar joins Akshay Kumar in Aanand L Rai's Raksha Bandhan, shoot to resume from 15th June

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar, who worked with Akshay Kumar in 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', has joined the megastar's upcoming movie 'Raksha Bandhan'.Akshay took to social media to welcome Bhumi to the film's team. The 'Kesari' actor shared a delightful picture featuring the duo with the director of the movie, Aanand L Rai. Sharing the happy picture, Akshay wrote, "When you are happy, it shows. And indeed we are...to have @bhumipednekar onboard #RakshaBandhan." Bhumi also shared the same picture on her Instagram account and called Akshay and Aanand "creative powerhouses".

"A very special film and a very special reunion. Am supremely excited to be collaborating again with two of my favourite creative powerhouses and humans. Am full of gratitude to be a part of this special, heart-touching story #RakshaBandhan @akshaykumar @aanandlrai," she wrote. See the post here:

Accordding to a report in ETimes, Aanand L. Rai confirmed that the shoot of the film will resume from 15th June, He said, "We are hoping to start by June 15. By then cases may come down and the situation should become more conducive for us to work with the unit. The crew will remain at one place but, the actors will go back home. Besides, we normally isolate ourselves from the family while shooting and that is the same way we shot for ‘Atrangi Re’ and all of us are responsible enough to follow Covid appropriate behaviour."

Apart from the 2017 film 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', the duo has also worked together on Bhumi's 'Durgamati', on which Akshay served as co-producer.

'Raksha Bandhan' is written by Aanand's longtime collaborator and National Award-winning screenwriter Himanshu Sharma, known for movies like 'Zero', 'Raanjhanaa' and the 'Tanu Weds Manu' franchise. The story of 'Raksha Bandhan', which was announced last year on the festival of the same name, will revolve around the bond between a brother and sister. 'Raksha Bandhan' is presented by Aanand and Akshay's sister, Alka Bhatia. The film is backed by Colour Yellow Production in association with Cape of Good Films.

Apart from 'Raksha Bandhan', Akshay and Aanand are also collaborating on 'Atrangi Re', which also stars Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan. Akshay's upcoming movies include 'Sooryavanshi', 'Atrangi Re', 'Prithviraj', 'Bell Bottom', 'Ram Setu' and 'Bachchan Pandey'. Bhumi's forthcoming films include 'Badhaai Do' and 'Mr Lele'.