In a major development for Indian cinema, acclaimed filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has officially confirmed his next directorial venture featuring Telugu superstar Allu Arjun. The announcement, made through social media platforms on January 14, 2026, has generated significant excitement within the film industry and among fans worldwide.
Kanagaraj, renowned for his successful films including ‘Vikram,’ ‘Kaithi,’ ‘Leo,’ and ‘Master,’ revealed the collaboration through an enthusiastically received announcement video. The director expressed his anticipation for the project, stating: “Looking forward to kicking off this journey with you sir. Let’s make it a massive blast.” The film is tentatively identified by the working titles #AA23 and #LK7, referencing the respective film counts in both artists’ distinguished careers.
The production will be backed by Mythri Movie Makers, with musical composition handled by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his fourth collaboration with Kanagaraj following their successful partnerships in ‘Master,’ ‘Leo,’ and ‘Coolie.’
This project follows Arjun’s recent appearance in the commercially successful ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ (2024), which achieved remarkable global box office earnings exceeding Rs 1.8 billion. Currently, the actor is engaged in another high-profile project titled ‘AA22*A6’—a science fiction film directed by Atlee and co-starring Deepika Padukone, produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures. Principal photography for the Kanagaraj-directed feature is scheduled to commence later this year, following completion of Arjun’s commitments to the Atlee project.
Kanagaraj’s most recent directorial effort, ‘Coolie’ (August 2025), featured an ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, and Shruti Haasan, and achieved commercial success despite receiving mixed critical reception. The film notably included special appearances by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and featured Nagarjuna in an antagonist role.