In a move that has set the Indian film industry abuzz, superstar Allu Arjun is teaming up with blockbuster director Atlee for a mega-budget, VFX-laden action entertainer, tentatively titled AA 22.
Backed by Sun Pictures’ Kalanithi Maran, the film is pegged at an eye-watering Rs800 crore ($125 million), making it the second most expensive Indian film ever after S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming Mahesh Babu starrer, SSMB29, which is reportedly budgeted at Rs1,000 crore.
The announcement came on April 8, coinciding with Arjun’s birthday, and follows the massive success of Pushpa 2, which grossed over US$210 million globally, reported India Today.
The film promises to be a high-concept, pan-India spectacle with global aspirations and is scheduled to begin production this month.
According to reports, Arjun will pocket Rs175 crore for the film, along with a 15 per cent profit share.
Atlee, riding high on the success of Jawan, is being paid Rs100 crore – a testament to his rising clout in Indian cinema.
The film’s VFX-heavy production will cost an estimated Rs250 crore, with another Rs200 crore allocated for principal production, reported Variety.
“This is the film I have always dreamed of making,” Atlee said in a statement. “To bring it to life with icon star Allu Arjun under the visionary leadership of Kalanithi Maran is a dream come true. The film is mass at its core and magical in its storytelling – crafted to move and entertain audiences worldwide.”
Arjun echoed the excitement, posting on X: “Magic with mass & a world beyond imagination! Teaming up with Atlee garu for something truly spectacular with the unparalleled support of Sun Pictures.”
The duo recently visited Los Angeles to collaborate with Hollywood-based VFX studios, hinting at a visual extravaganza.
Though plot details and the rest of the cast are under wraps, the film is being positioned as a sci-fi action entertainer with a global visual palette.
However, the project isn’t without controversy.
The promotional poster for AA 22 drew comparisons to the 2021 Hollywood film Dune, prompting fresh plagiarism accusations against Atlee, reported The Times of India.
Responding to such claims in a previous interview, Atlee said: “In the creative field, similarities happen. I take risks. If it were easy to copy and succeed, everyone would be doing it.”
Despite the online criticism, the announcement video racked up over six million views within hours of its release, showcasing the film’s massive anticipation.
