South Indian icon Allu Arjun is gearing up to lead an upcoming high-octane sci-fi action thriller directed by celebrated filmmaker Atlee, the mastermind behind crowd-pullers like Bigil and Jawan. This ambitious project is poised to be one of the biggest cinematic ventures in Indian cinema, blending futuristic storytelling with intense action and emotional depth.

The much-anticipated project, tentatively titled AA22, will showcase Allu Arjun in a double role, portraying twin brothers in a parallel universe—a genre-defying turn in his celebrated career. This film marks Arjun’s first time playing dual characters in over 20 years. The story will explore the dynamic between two drastically different brothers navigating a universe-altering crisis. The film was initially conceptualized as a grand period drama with Salman Khan in one of the lead roles, but the storyline took a dramatic turn after Allu Arjun came on board, prompting the makers to completely revamp the script into a solo-led, futuristic sci-fi action saga. The reincarnation-themed plot was shelved in favor of a high-concept sci-fi narrative, restructured around Arjun’s characters in a visually rich, futuristic setting.

The film is being bankrolled by Sun Pictures and comes with an estimated production cost of ₹600 crore, placing it among the most expensive Indian films ever made. The project will rely heavily on cutting-edge VFX, large-scale sets, and globally benchmarked production values to deliver a pan-India spectacle that bridges South Indian mass appeal with national cinematic innovation.

Allu Arjun recently underwent an intensive month-long transformation retreat overseas to gear up for the dual characters, focusing on both physical conditioning and mental preparation to deliver two distinctly powerful performances.  The dual roles require him to portray radically opposite character traits—one rooted in compassion and justice, and the other driven by a darker, more complex vision of power.

Adding to the film’s pan-India charm, Anirudh Ravichander has been roped in to compose the soundtrack, promising a powerful musical experience that complements the film’s scale and energy. Principal photography is expected to begin by mid-2025, with a grand worldwide release planned for 2026.