Allu Arjun Sets December Deadline for Raaka, Lokesh Kanagaraj Film to Begin After Sankranthi 2027

Time is ticking for Allu Arjun . The Pushpa star has reportedly instructed director Atlee and the makers of his mega budget sci-fi action entertainer Raaka to wrap up principal photography by December 2026 , clearing the decks for his next blockbuster with Lokesh Kanagaraj immediately after Sankranthi 2027 . The decision is said to have accelerated the film's production schedule after a few unforeseen delays.

Ever since its announcement, Raaka has remained one of Indian cinema's most mysterious projects. Apart from its striking first look poster, the makers have deliberately stayed silent on the storyline, genre details and release strategy, only adding to the massive anticipation surrounding the film. Industry insiders reveal that Atlee has now reworked the remaining schedules to ensure the ambitious production stays on course for its year end completion.

One of the biggest surprises is that fans may not receive any fresh promotional material this year. The team had initially planned to unveil a special glimpse around Allu Arjun's birthday, but those plans were reportedly shelved. Instead, the makers have decided to focus entirely on completing production, with the official release date expected to be announced only after filming concludes.

Adding to the excitement is Raaka 's star packed lineup. Besides Allu Arjun, the film reportedly features Deepika Padukone , Mrunal Thakur , Rashmika Mandanna and Janhvi Kapoor in pivotal roles. Backed by Sun Pictures , the film is mounted on a massive scale with cutting edge visual effects, while rising music sensation Sai Abhyankkar is composing the soundtrack. Recently, the young composer admitted he was nervous while presenting tunes to Allu Arjun because the actor has an exceptional understanding of music and audience tastes, making the collaboration even more intriguing.

Once Raaka is completed, Allu Arjun is expected to shift his complete focus to his much awaited collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj. The project, backed by Mythri Movie Makers and featuring music by Anirudh Ravichander , was officially announced earlier this year and ranks among the most anticipated pan Indian films currently in development. While speculation around its story continues, the makers have yet to reveal the title, cast or release plans.