In a major development, Allu Arjun has been confirmed to star in Atlee's next directorial venture, replacing Salman Khan in the process. The film, a reincarnation-themed epic period saga, is being produced by Sun Pictures and has a budget of over ₹600 crores, making it one of the most expensive Indian film projects to date. According to sources, pre-production on the film is set to begin by April-May, with filming expected to wrap up by early 2026.
The film, which is still untitled, will feature Allu Arjun in the lead role, alongside another male protagonist who is yet to be cast. The film will also have three main female leads, with Janhvi Kapoor reportedly being considered for one of the roles. Atlee and Sun Pictures had originally planned to cast Salman Khan in the lead role, but the production house was reluctant to invest in a Salman-led project, leading to Allu Arjun being brought on board.
The film is expected to be a grand reincarnation-themed period saga with stunning visuals and entertainment that will surpass anything that Atlee has done before. The film's storyline revolves around two heroes, with Allu Arjun playing the lead role. The film's production is expected to be on a massive scale, with a budget of over ₹600 crores. Atlee is known for his grand and visually stunning films, and this project is expected to be no exception.
With Trivikram Srinivas delaying Allu Arjun's mythical epic, Atlee's project has been fast-tracked, with the filmmaker planning to complete it by the first quarter of next year. The production timeframe for Trivikram's film has been pushed back to 2026 due to the additional time needed for script creation and pre-production. Meanwhile, Allu Arjun is set to begin work on Atlee's film, which is expected to be a game-changer in his career.