Source India Today
MUMBAI — Following the historic success of Jawan, blockbuster director Atlee is gearing up for what he describes as his most ambitious project yet. In a recent interaction, the filmmaker provided a major update on his upcoming collaboration with “Icon Star” Allu Arjun, while showering praise on his leading lady, Deepika Padukone.
A “Lucky Charm” Returns
Atlee, who previously directed Padukone in the 2023 mega-hit Jawan, didn’t hold back his admiration for the actress. Calling her his “lucky charm,” the director expressed his excitement about their second outing together.
“Yes, she’s my lucky charm,” Atlee said. “This is my second film with Deepika, and she’s wonderful to work with—just unbelievable. I think after motherhood, she’s starting this film, and you are going to see a very different Deepika for sure.”
The project marks Padukone’s first major film since welcoming her child, and industry insiders suggest her role will be a departure from her previous glamorous action avatars, leaning into a more “unseen” side of her performance.
The “Sleepless Nights” Behind AA22xA6
Tentatively titled AA22xA6, the film is being produced on a massive scale by Sun Pictures. Atlee revealed that the production team is currently spending “sleepless nights” to ensure the film meets global standards.
Genre & Scale: The film is reported to be a science-fiction action epic set across two parallel universes. Atlee has compared the visual ambition of the project to the Avatar franchise.
VFX: The director is reportedly collaborating with top-tier international visual effects studios to create a “landmark cinematic event.”
Multiple Avatars: Following Atlee’s tradition in films like Mersal and Jawan, Allu Arjun is rumored to be playing multiple roles—possibly even a quadruple role—a first for the actor.
A Power-Packed Ensemble
While Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone lead the charge, the film’s casting has become a talking point in itself. The ensemble is rumored to include a “who’s who” of Indian cinema:
Kajol (reportedly in a significant supporting role)
Rashmika Mandanna
Janhvi Kapoor
Mrunal Thakur
Jim Sarbh and Yogi Babu
What’s Next?
As Allu Arjun rides high on the global success of the Pushpa franchise, AA22xA6 is positioned as his next major pan-Indian release, currently slated for a 2027 theatrical window. Meanwhile, Atlee also took a moment to dismiss rumors of him directing Don 3, clarifying that while he hopes to work with Shah Rukh Khan again in the future, Jawan 2 is not currently on the cards.
