Allu Arjun–Lokesh Kanagaraj Film #AA23 Announced: Shraddha Kapoor in Talks

The collaboration between Allu Arjun and acclaimed Tamil director Lokesh Kanagaraj has officially been announced by Mythri Movie Makers under the working title #AA23 , with the project revealed on January 14, 2026 as a Sankranti special. The makers also confirmed that popular composer Anirudh Ravichander will handle the film’s music, a combination that has already heightened expectations among fans across industries. The announcement glimpse, which featured a stylised shadow image of Allu Arjun alongside Lokesh’s introduction, signalled that the film is being mounted on a grand, pan-India scale.

Meanwhile, multiple entertainment portals report that Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor is in talks to play the female lead in this high-budget action entertainer. These reports, however, are based on industry sources, and there has been no official confirmation yet from the production house, the director, or the actors involved. If the casting materialises, it would mark Shraddha’s return to a Telugu big-screen project, further strengthening the film’s pan-Indian appeal. At this stage, her involvement should be treated as a media report rather than a confirmed announcement.

Trade circles also suggest that the film’s shoot will begin after Allu Arjun completes his ongoing project with director Atlee , often referred to in reports as #AA22 . Various industry trackers estimate that #AA23 may go on floors in mid-to-late 2026 , though the makers have not publicly specified exact months. Similarly, widely circulated figures about Lokesh Kanagaraj’s remuneration reported in some outlets to be around ₹75 crore remain part of trade speculation and have not been officially validated. Such numbers frequently surface in early production buzz around major star-director combinations.

Overall, while the core collaboration between Allu Arjun, Lokesh Kanagaraj, Mythri Movie Makers and Anirudh Ravichander is officially confirmed, key details such as the female lead, exact shooting schedule, and financial specifics remain unannounced. Given the scale of the talent involved and Lokesh’s strong track record with large-scale entertainers, the film is already being positioned as a major pan-India release, with more clarity expected once the makers issue formal updates on casting and production timelines.