Director Lokesh Kanagaraj has teased “interesting updates” on his upcoming film with Allu Arjun, tentatively titled AA23. The filmmaker took to Instagram on Monday to share a candid picture of himself in a deep discussion with the actor, adding to the anticipation surrounding their first collaboration.
“Interesting updates coming soon,” Lokesh wrote in the caption, accompanied by emojis. While the filmmaker did not reveal what the upcoming announcement would be about, the photograph of the duo in conversation has sparked fresh interest in the project, which has remained under wraps since its official announcement.
Tentatively titled AA23 and LK7, the film marks Allu Arjun’s 23rd project as a lead actor and Lokesh’s seventh directorial. The collaboration was officially announced in January by production house Mythri Movie Makers, which described it as a collaboration that would be “eternal in Indian cinema”. The announcement also confirmed that the film would begin production in 2026 and receive a pan-Indian release.
The project will feature music by Anirudh Ravichander, reuniting him with Lokesh after their collaborations on Master, Vikram, Leo and Coolie. The announcement video’s theme music had earlier crossed one million reels on Instagram, prompting Lokesh to share a picture with Allu Arjun to mark the milestone.
While the makers have yet to reveal the film’s plot, we previously reported that Allu Arjun would appear in a never-seen-before avatar. According to a source close to the production, the actor and Lokesh have spent considerable time researching and exploring different looks to ensure that his appearance feels distinct from his previous roles. Reports have also suggested that the film could incorporate science-fiction and superhero elements, although the makers have not officially confirmed these details.
The film’s script is being developed by Rathna Kumar, who has previously collaborated with Lokesh on films including Master and Leo. In an earlier update, the writer confirmed that work on the script had begun and described the story as one with global appeal. Allu Arjun, meanwhile, is also working on Raaka, his upcoming collaboration with director Atlee. Lokesh’s recent projects include his acting debut in DC, directed by Arun Matheswaran, and his planned superhero film with Aamir Khan.
