The official announcement of Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s collaboration is now out and trending across social media. Tentatively titled AA23, the project has received mixed reactions, with excitement from some sections and sharp criticism from others.
After the disappointing film Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s planned lineup reportedly collapsed. For several months, only rumours and theories about his upcoming projects circulated online.
Before the release of Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj had planned to begin Kaithi 2. Karthi even officially announced the project on his social media handle. However, after Coolie, Kaithi 2 was shelved due to certain circumstances.
Following this, Lokesh Kanagaraj was expected to direct a superhero film with Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan himself confirmed this in multiple interviews, but the project was also dropped after Coolie’s result.
Later, rumours suggested that Lokesh Kanagaraj would helm a Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan reunion film. This project too slipped out of his hands. After all these setbacks, Lokesh Kanagaraj finally landed AA23 with Allu Arjun.
After the official announcement, reactions have been divided. While some fans are celebrating the collaboration, others are openly criticising the decision.
Critics point out that Lokesh Kanagaraj is going through a difficult phase after back to back disappointments with Leo and Coolie, regardless of box office collections. They feel he should have focused on Kaithi 2 instead of choosing a star driven project like AA23.
Some also argue that the current buzz around AA23 exists mainly because of Allu Arjun. According to them, Lokesh Kanagaraj now needs to prove himself again and reclaim his lost market as a director.
Meanwhile, strong rumours suggest that AA23 could be Lokesh Kanagaraj’s dream superhero project Irumbu Kai Maayavi. This film was earlier planned with Aamir Khan and shelved after Coolie. However, there is no official confirmation yet.
Further controversy arose after reports claimed Lokesh Kanagaraj received a 75 crore remuneration for AA23. In comparison, his remuneration for Kaithi 2 was reportedly below 30 crores, leading to allegations that money influenced his choice.
This announcement has also upset Kollywood audiences. Earlier, Lokesh Kanagaraj had stated in interviews that Irumbu Kai Maayavi was written with Suriya in mind and would only be made with him.
Now, many fans believe the same script is being remade in Telugu with Allu Arjun for higher remuneration. As a result, social media backlash has intensified, with calls for boycott and accusations that the director has forgotten his roots.
Despite the controversy, the shooting of AA23 is expected to begin mid year. The film is being produced by Mythri Movie Makers, and only time will tell whether this project marks a massive comeback for Lokesh Kanagaraj.
