Draft:AA22xA6

AA22xA6
Directed by	Atlee
Written by	Atlee Vivek
Produced by	Kalanithi Maran
Starring	Allu Arjun Deepika Padukone
Music by	Sai Abhyankkar
Production company	Sun Pictures
Country	India
Language	Telugu
Budget	₹500–800 crore

AA22xA6 is the working title of an upcoming Indian Telugu-language science fiction film directed by Atlee and produced by Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures. The film stars Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone. It marks Atlee and Sun Pictures' first project in Telugu.

Atlee revealed several plans for his next directorial venture after Jawan (2023), which included a two-hero film with a potential collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Vijay. In November 2023, he stated that his sixth directorial project has higher chance to be the two-hero film, and confirmed that he had begun writing the script. Sun Pictures confirmed the project in April 2025 under the tentative title AA22xA6, as it is Arjun's 26th film as a lead actor and Atlee's sixth directorial venture. The film has music composed by Sai Abhyankkar.

Cast

• Allu Arjun
• Deepika Padukone

Production

Development

After the success of Jawan in late 2023, director Atlee revealed that he had plans either on collaborating with a Hollywood-based screenwriter to make an 'entertaining film', pitching a script to actors Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan and would direct it if they are both impressed, joining hands with Ajith Kumar or make his Hollywood debut for his upcoming directorial work. That November, Atlee confirmed that his next directorial venture could feature Vijay and Khan in the lead roles. He stated that, on his birthday during the shoot of Jawan, he invited Vijay to the sets where he and Khan had discussed about a potential collaboration between the two and requested Atlee to direct it. The following month, the director confirmed that he had begun writing the script.

However, the same month, it was reported that Allu Arjun was the front-runner for the director's upcoming venture. Atlee himself was reportedly the producer of the project, under A for Apple Productions, and it was expected to begin production in late 2024. In February 2024, Atlee confirmed his Hollywood debut and stated that production would be done within three years, however it was unsure whether it was his next work or another. The following month, reports claiming that the director's next directorial venture would star Arjun became stronger. Reportedly made on a budget of ₹350 crore (US$41 million), Allu Aravind's production house Geetha Arts were to fund the project. In April, Atlee had reportedly begun writing the script. The following June, however, it was reported that the project was shelved due to Atlee's high remuneration and creative differences. It was also reported that Arjun chose to priorities his project with Trivikram Srinivas at first, and would work with Atlee after that.

Salman Khan was later reported to replace as the lead actor of the film. Production was reported to commence in early 2025, after Khan had completed filming for Sikandar (2025). Reports also claimed that Atlee was turning the initial idea into a script, and they would finalise shooting schedule after the director narrates the final script to the actor. In July, it was reported that Kamal Haasan would also come onboard as a lead actor, after he was impressed of the initial idea pitched by Atlee, but is waiting on confirming the project until the director completes the final script. The final paperwork was reported to be completed by October, as Atlee would have completed the final script and narrated it to Khan and Haasan by then, whereas the pre-production would being in October and filming would commence in January 2025. Sun Pictures was reported to produce the project. In October, reports claimed that Haasan was to be replaced by Rajinikanth. In November, the film was reported to be a action drama film based on reincarnation, and the commencement of filming was delayed to the summer of 2025. Made on a budget of ₹500 crore (US$59 million), the project recieved the tentative title A6, the same month, as it signifies as Atlee's sixth directorial work.

In February 2025, it was reported that Atlee chose to shelve the project indefinitely and would resume the works for his previous project with Arjun, as the actor's project with Trivikram was delayed further more and he instead suggested that he would prioritise the production for this project. Atlee's project with Khan and Haasan was also reported to have been put on hold due to budgeting and casting issues. In early March, pre-production was reported to begin in April, filming would commence in the middle of the year and the film would be released in 2026. Atlee would reportedly recieve a remuneration of ₹100 crore (US$12 million) and was reported to have brought onboard Anirudh Ravichander as the composer. The same month, Sivakarthikeyan was reported to had join the cast as a second lead.

Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers confirmed the project, stating that Arjun's next film would be directed by Atlee. In early April, Sun Pictures were confirmed to produce the venture, as Arjun was seen meeting with Kalanithi Maran and Atlee in Chennai. The company made a public announcement on 8 April 2025, coinciding Arjun's birthday, tentatively titled AA22xA6. Tamil lyricist Vivek confirmed co-writing the script alongside Atlee. The film is made on a production budget of ₹500 crore (US$59 million)–₹800 crore (US$95 million).

Casting

Allu Arjun would be reportedly be playing two different roles, one as the protagonist and the second as the main antagonist. In April 2024, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was reported to have been cast as the female lead, marking her third collaboration with Atlee after Theri (2016) and Mersal (2017) and second with Arjun after S/O Satyamurthy (2015). In March 2025, however, it was reported that the role went to Janhvi Kapoor instead. Initially, Priyanka Chopra was reported to have been cast as the female lead, but soon after it was said that she was reportedly in disscusion for when Salman Khan was onboard and not Arjun. In late May 2025, the film was reported to feature six female leads. Deepika Padukone was announced the following month as the main female lead, pairing opposite Arjun for the first time.

Filming

Principal photography is reportedly scheduled to commence with the first schedule in mid 2025.

Post-production

Visual effects will be provided by Lola Visual Effects, Spectral Motion and Fractured FX.

Music

The soundtrack will be composed by Sai Abhyankkar, in his first collaboration with Allu Arjun and Atlee.

Marketing

A poster promoting the high view count of the film's announcement was released by Sun Pictures on the same day as the announcement. However, many pointed out that the poster resembled an official poster from the Dune film series and accused the makers of plagiarism.

Release

The film is reportedly scheduled to be released in 2026.