Sure, Sunny Deol’s cop thriller, Antony, promises action galore. But there’s more to director Balaji Ganesh’s film than that. Think a powerful antagonist who is also something of a twinkletoes. mid-day has learnt that Vijay Varma, who plays Deol’s arch rival in Antony, shot a dance number set against the backdrop of a circus.

Apparently, the idea behind the song is to establish his character’s backstory. A source revealed, “The dance track is part of Vijay’s act as a circus artiste. Composed by Salim-Sulaiman, it has been designed by National Award-winning choreographer Vijay Ganguly. The track is a slow reveal; by the end of it, the audience will be shown more about Vijay’s character, where he is from, and his ill-intentions.”

A huge set depicting a circus was constructed in Marol, Andheri East, for the shoot.

With a chunk of the shoot wrapped up, now only a montage song featuring Deol and Jyotika is remaining.

Batwara 1947 may have slowed down Sunny Deol’s bullish run at the box office that began with Gadar 2: The Katha Continues (2023), but he has no reason to worry. The actor has four big films in his kitty. Soon after the Partition drama’s release, Deol moved on to the shoot of Excel Entertainment’s cop thriller, Antony. He will follow it up with Ramayana: Part 2, Jaat 2, and Rajkumar Santoshi’s next.  

A source told mid-day that Deol resumed the filming of Antony, directed by Balaji Ganesh, in Film City on August 26.

“The unit is currently focusing on the high-octane action sequences of the film that sees Sunny as a cop trying to bust a crime syndicate. With action director Ravi Verma, the actor has been shooting car chase sequences,” shared the source. 

Wrapping up Antony by October, the actor will dive into the immersive world of Ramayana: Part 2. Ranbir Kapoor has begun shooting his portions for Nitesh Tiwari’s outing.

The source added, “While Sunny, as Lord Hanuman, makes a brief appearance in the first part, he will have major action and dramatic sequences in the sequel.”

Jaat 2’s producers are keen to take their movie on floors by December. The only roadblock is said to be director Gopichand Malineni’s busy date diary. “Gopi is busy with his next film. So, the producers have to decide whether they want to wait for him or rope in another director,” added the source.

By early next year, Deol will face the camera for Santoshi’s Ghatak Ghus Ke Maarega.