On Eid, Salman Khan announced his next, Sikandar, to be helmed by A R Murugadoss. While the action fare was slated to roll in May, we hear that its pre-production began last week, setting the stage for a June shoot.

A source reveals, “The first schedule will be in Mumbai, and the team will do a recce next week to lock the locations. In May-end, Salman will do a photoshoot, and the principal photography will begin after June 20.”

Murugadoss wants to shoot most of the action sequences first. Though the action directors are currently choreographing the set-pieces, the superstar has started his prep. He is said to be working on agility and movement.

“Salman insists on doing action himself. He has modified his workout regimen to develop a chiselled physique,” adds the source. The director is expected to begin the table reads with Khan and leading lady Rashmika Mandanna in early June.

A chunk of the movie will be shot in Mumbai and Hyderabad before the unit heads out for a foreign schedule. The locations will be disclosed only on a need-to-know basis to ensure Khan’s safety amid the threats (Bandobast for Bhaijaan, April 22).