John Abraham Undergoes Major Physical Transformation to Portray Rakesh Maria in Rohit Shetty’s Maria IPS
Actor John Abraham has undertaken a significant physical transformation for filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s upcoming action drama titled Maria IPS. The film, which follows the life of decorated Indian police officer Rakesh Maria, covers roughly four decades of his career and personal journey.
What Happened
According to details reported by Bollywood Hungama, the narrative of Maria IPS traces Rakesh Maria’s journey from his 20s through to his 60s. To authentically reflect these distinct phases of life, John Abraham adjusted his physical appearance for different filming segments.
For the sequences representing Maria in his 20s and 30s, Abraham built additional muscle mass to attain a bulkier build. Conversely, to depict the former officer during his late 50s and 60s, the actor shed weight to present a leaner and fitter appearance on screen.
Filming for the project commenced in July 2025 at Ellora Studios near Mumbai, where production built a dedicated police station set. Across a two-week schedule at that location, Abraham and Shetty filmed dramatic station scenes as well as intense interrogation sequences. Subsequent filming took place across several Western Railway premises, including Mumbai Central railway station, Lower Parel railway station, and the Western Railway Headquarters located in Churchgate, as stated by Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek.
Key Highlights
- Extensive Age Span: The storyline follows Rakesh Maria’s life across nearly 40 years, covering his early 20s to his 60s.
- Targeted Physical Shifts: John Abraham gained muscle for the younger scenes and lost weight to achieve a leaner physique for the senior portions.
- Filming Locations: The production has captured scenes at Ellora Studios near Mumbai and across major Western Railway facilities including Churchgate, Lower Parel, and Mumbai Central.
- Production Details: The project marks director Rohit Shetty’s move into this biographical subject following Singham Again (2024).
Why This Matters
Biographical police dramas demand visual credibility when depicting real-life public figures over extensive timelines. Abraham’s dual-stage physical adaptation indicates an effort by the production to delineate different eras of Maria’s decades-long policing career without relying solely on cosmetic adjustments.
What to Watch Next
With shooting having commenced at Ellora Studios and ongoing production across railway landmarks in Mumbai, further production updates and official release schedules from Rohit Shetty’s team are awaited as filming progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Abraham portraying in Maria IPS?
John Abraham is portraying decorated police officer Rakesh Maria in the film.
What age range does the film cover?
The biographical drama spans nearly 40 years, depicting Rakesh Maria from his 20s through to his 60s.
Where has the filming of Maria IPS taken place?
Filming began at a police station set erected at Ellora Studios near Mumbai, with additional scenes shot at Western Railway locations including the Churchgate Headquarters, Lower Parel station, and Mumbai Central station.
Source: Based on reporting from Bollywood Hungama.