John Abraham Undergoes Dramatic Physical Transformation for Rohit Shetty’s ‘Maria IPS’

Following the massive success of Singham Again (2024), blockbuster filmmaker Rohit Shetty has shifted his focus to a compelling new project: a gritty, high-stakes action drama inspired by the life of the legendary police officer Rakesh Maria. Titled Maria IPS, the film is already generating significant buzz, with reports suggesting that lead actor John Abraham is preparing to deliver one of the most transformative performances of his career.

A Journey Through Time

Maria IPS promises to be an ambitious biographical epic, spanning 40 years of the officer’s illustrious career. The narrative tracks Rakesh Maria’s journey from his youth in his 20s to his seasoned years in his 60s. To capture the nuance of these distinct life stages, Abraham has committed to an intense physical regimen, arguably his most demanding transformation to date.

According to recent reports, the actor bulked up, adding significant muscle mass to portray Maria during his early professional years. Conversely, for the sequences depicting the officer in his late 50s and 60s, Abraham underwent a rigorous weight-loss process to adopt a leaner, more refined look. This commitment to physical authenticity is expected to be a major highlight for fans who are accustomed to seeing the actor in high-octane, muscular roles.

Authentic Filming Locations

The production has leaned into realism by utilizing iconic Mumbai landmarks. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the film’s crew spent time at various Western Railway premises to capture the city’s authentic pulse. Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer for Western Railway, noted that significant sequences were filmed at the WR Headquarters in Churchgate, as well as the bustling Mumbai Central and Lower Parel railway stations.

Production Progress

Cameras officially began rolling on the project in July 2025. The initial schedule was stationed at Ellora Studios near Mumbai, where an expansive police station set was erected. Over a two-week period, Rohit Shetty directed a series of intense interrogation scenes and high-drama sequences, setting the tone for what is expected to be a gritty, grounded take on the life of one of India’s most decorated investigators.

As Maria IPS continues production, the combination of Rohit Shetty’s signature directorial style and John Abraham’s complete physical immersion into the character of Rakesh Maria has positioned the film as one of the most anticipated titles in the upcoming Hindi cinema slate.