According to industry sources, Allu Arjun and Atlee’s ambitious pan-India film Raaka may be split into two parts.
The makers are seriously exploring this idea because the footage shot so far has already exceeded what can comfortably fit into a conventional three-hour film. With another four months of shooting still pending, the story is reportedly becoming too expansive for a single release. However, director Atlee is expected to make the final call only after reviewing the completed footage.
Interestingly, producer Sun Pictures, which is reportedly investing around Rs. 800 crores in the project, is believed to be supportive of the two-part format. Apart from allowing more room for the story, two films would also reduce the pressure of recovering such a massive investment from a single release.
Industry circles also say that the makers were expecting an OTT deal worth around Rs. 300 crores, but OTT platforms were reportedly unwilling to meet that valuation. If true, a two-part release would create two theatrical windows and two separate OTT deals, significantly improving the film’s revenue potential. Whether that speculation is accurate remains unconfirmed.
The bigger question, however, is whether Raaka actually needs two films.
Audiences can quickly sense when a story has been stretched for commercial reasons. Devara and Indian 2 drew heavy backlash because they were dragged out with unnecessary scenes and an uneven screenplay just to split the film into two parts.
On the other hand, Baahubali, KGF, and, more recently, Dhurandhar proved that when a story genuinely demands multiple parts, audiences embrace the format and reward it at the box office.
Ultimately, the success of a two-part Raaka will depend on one thing: whether the split serves the story or the business. If Atlee gets that balance right, the film could become another massive franchise. If not, it might backfire big time.
