Mumbai: Allu Arjun’s next big project with director Lokesh Kanagaraj is already creating massive buzz, and now a fresh casting update has added to the excitement. Titled AA23 for now, the film marks the first collaboration between the Telugu superstar and the celebrated Tamil filmmaker. Although the announcement teaser has already left fans amazed, it is being reported now that Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor has signed on to play the lead role.
Shraddha Kapoor joins the cast?
A report by the Milagro Movies has indicated that Shraddha Kapoor will be the leading lady in AA23 alongside Allu Arjun. This will be a reentry to South Indian cinema after several years in case this is true. The actress has largely focused on Hindi films in recent times, making this casting choice particularly interesting for fans across industries.
Shraddha featured in the horror comedy Stree 2, last, with Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, and Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurana. She previously worked in a large scale South Indian action film in 2019, when she starred opposite Prabhas in Saaho.
What the announcement teaser revealed
The official announcement of AA23 was made on January 14, 2026, when Mythri Movie Makers shared a teaser across social media platforms. Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar were also confirmed as producers in the video, with the music being composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
Set to a powerful background score, the teaser featured a striking silhouette of Allu Arjun’s character taming a horse, hinting at an intense and stylish role. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj was also introduced in a dramatic manner, underlining the scale and ambition of the project. Makers assured that the film also known as LK07 would be on the floor in 2026.
Allu Arjun posted the teaser and stated in it that the project is very exciting to him and that he is mentally committed to this new journey with Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh.
Shooting timeline and other details
While the teaser announced a 2026 start, a separate report by tracker Mukil Vardhanan stated that the team is aiming to begin shooting in June or July 2026, with pre production currently underway. The report further alleged that Lokesh Kanagaraj is receiving a pay of 75 crore to do the movie that makes the film one of the most discussed projects in his career.
With Allu Arjun, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh Ravichander coming together, AA23 is shaping up to be a high voltage action thriller. Should Shraddha Kapoor officially be cast, the movie will receive even better coverage among both South and Hindi film audiences.
Also Read | Don 3 Hits Pause as Farhan Akhtar Revives Jee Le Zaraa With Priyanka, Katrina and Alia
