Actor Allu Arjun has announced his upcoming collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj, tentatively titled AA23, sparking excitement but also frustration among fans of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe. The project, featuring music by Anirudh Ravichander, is set to begin shooting in August 2026. However, the news has upset supporters awaiting the Kaithi 2 sequel.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj has confirmed his next film with Allu Arjun, the star of Pushpa 2. Described as a big-budget pan-India spectacle, the untitled project—temporarily called AA23—promises a fresh look for Allu Arjun and a jungle setting, as hinted in the announcement video where animals flee toward him riding a horse.
Allu Arjun shared his enthusiasm on X, stating he was “locked in mentally” for this new journey with the “maverick filmmaker” Lokesh Kanagaraj. He also expressed excitement about working with composer Anirudh Ravichander for the first time, calling him a brother. The film is produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers, with co-producers Bunny Vas, Natti, Sandy, and Swathi. Shooting is scheduled to start in August 2026.
While the announcement has generated buzz for blending Lokesh's style with Allu Arjun's flair, it has drawn backlash from fans invested in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). After Leo (2023) with Thalapathy Vijay and shooting Coolie with Rajinikanth, Lokesh had hinted at prioritizing Kaithi 2 with Karthi, including script development and ongoing talks. One fan lamented on X, “Kaithi 2 is not coming out anytime soon.” Another questioned, “But what happened to Kaithi 2? They have again postponed it, or have they dropped the project permanently?”
The LCU's future includes a Vikram sequel with Kamal Haasan and rumors of a spin-off featuring Suriya's Rolex character. With Kaithi 2 seemingly delayed, fans worry the entire universe is in jeopardy.
The announcement video has gone viral, amplifying hype for this collaboration.
