Since the official announcement of Lokesh Kanagaraj and Allu Arjun’s collaboration for AA23, expectations around the project have risen sharply. Fans are eager to know more about the film’s story, casting, and overall scale, given the director and actor involved.
Amid this buzz, strong speculation suggests that Lokesh Kanagaraj plans to cast Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor as the female lead. Reports also indicate that the shooting of AA23 is expected to begin this June, though no official confirmation has been made yet.
The rumours have triggered mixed reactions among Allu Arjun fans on social media. Some are excited about seeing a fresh pairing on screen and feel Shraddha Kapoor could suit this pan-Indian project. Others believe the makers should consider a different actress.
Earlier, Shraddha Kapoor was reportedly approached for the item number Kissik in Pushpa 2. That plan did not materialise after she allegedly demanded around 7 crores, following which the makers cast Sreeleela. Fans now feel AA23 could fulfil Allu Arjun’s unfinished wish to work with Shraddha Kapoor.
However, a section of fans argues that Shraddha Kapoor lacks a strong fan base outside North India. Since AA23 is expected to be a massive film, they feel a more established pan-Indian actress would be a safer choice.
Shraddha Kapoor earlier made her Telugu debut with Prabhas’s Saaho, which carried massive expectations after the Baahubali franchise. The film failed at the box office and marked the beginning of a difficult phase for Prabhas, adding to fan concerns.
As Allu Arjun is currently enjoying peak success, some fans worry that casting Shraddha Kapoor could affect his winning streak. They fear a repeat of past patterns, though such views remain speculative and emotionally driven.
For now, there is no official update from the makers. It remains to be seen whether Shraddha Kapoor will be part of AA23 and how the project will finally shape up.
