Actor Allu Arjun (left) and Lokesh Kanagaraj are teaming up for the first time. In a big development, star Tamil director Lokesh Kanagaraj has teamed up with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun for an upcoming project. Mythri Movie Makers, the production banner behind the project, announced the film with a video on January 14, 2025 (Wednesday). The project, tentatively titled AA 23, marks the Telugu debut of Lokesh, who last directed the Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, bankrolled by Sun Pictures. AA 23 is Allu Arjun’s second straight collaboration with a Tamil filmmaker, following his project with Atlee, tentatively titled AA 22. The film, also starring Deepika Padukone and produced by Sun Pictures, is currently under production. AA 23 will have music from Anirudh, the regular collaborator of director Lokesh. The ace director of Master (2021)and Vikram (2022) was supposed to start Kaithi 2 soon after Coolie. But now, fans will have to wait longer for the sequel to the 2019 hit Karthi-starrer, which was suppose to resume the filmmaker’s famed Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). The announcement of Kaithi 2 was made in March 2025, with Dream Warrior Pictures and KVN Productions coming together as producers for the project. There is no official news about the film since then. A Collaboration that will be Eternal in Indian Cinema 🤘🏻🔥💥 Icon Star @alluarjun X @Dir_Lokesh X @MythriOfficial X @anirudhofficial STRIVE FOR GREATNESS🔥 ▶️ https://t.co/AGCi8q89x2 Shoot begins in 2026 💥#AALoki#AA23#LK7pic.twitter.com/op2vnureqp — Mythri Movie Makers (@MythriOfficial) January 14, 2026 The announcement video of AA 23 has a catchy rap song from Anirudh titled “I say 23”. The orange-themed video shows a bunch of wolves charging in a forest only to be threatened by the roar of a lion. Allu Arjun is introduced with his celebrated moniker ‘Icon Star’. Details about the genre of the movie are under wraps. ALSO READ: ‘DC’: Lokesh Kanagaraj to make his acting debut in Arun Matheswaran’s next; title teaser out “A collaboration that will be eternal in Indian cinema,” said Mythri Movie Makers on X, adding that shoot begins in 2026. Lokesh’slast project, the highly-anticipated Coolie, met mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The director will be eager to give an out-and-out blockbuster with his next. The director is also making his acting debut with DC. The movie is directed by his contemporary Arun Matheswaran and has Wamiqa Gabbi in the female lead role. Published – January 14, 2026 05:48 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation The Hindu Lit for Life 2026 | Some of India’s foremost experts on what the future could hold in the health ecosystem Why global museums like LACMA are turning their attention to India’s art market