10 July,2025 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rashmika Mandanna
Allu Arjun's next film is set in the sci-fi space and will be directed by Jawan filmmaker Atlee. It was already announced that Deepika Padukone will be playing the lead. Now, the latest reports suggest that Allu Arjun's Pushpa co-star, Rashmika Mandanna, is also set to join the team.
According to reports, Rashmika Mandanna - who has previously worked with Allu Arjun in the Pushpa films - has been cast in the superstar's upcoming project. A source close to the team informed Pinkvilla, "Rashmika Mandanna has come on board Atlee's ambitious film. The actress will be seen in one of the most daring roles of her career. The dynamics between Rashmika and Allu will be very different from what they shared in the Pushpa franchise."
Reportedly, Rashmika has already completed her look test and body scan during a pre-production session in Los Angeles. "Atlee's next is a technical marvel, as the filmmaker is looking to create his own Avatar-like film set in two different universes. He has got a rock-solid ensemble cast, with the biggest male and female actors of Indian cinema on board to play key roles," the source added.
Apart from Rashmika, the film will also feature Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur.
If reports are to be believed, the untitled drama will feature Allu Arjun in a dual role, contrary to earlier buzz that the film would have two heroes. Allu Arjun's team confirmed that AA22xA6 will feature only him in the lead role.
Produced by Sun Group's Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures, the makers announced the highly anticipated project in April this year.
Taking to their X timeline, the production banner wrote, "Gear up for the Landmark Cinematic Event. #AA22xA6 - A Magnum Opus from Sun Pictures."
They also released an announcement video, featuring world-class technicians sharing their thoughts about the script.
Allu Arjun Atlee film gets bigger Rashmika Mandanna joins cast
VFX supervisor James Madigan, known for films like Iron Man 2 and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, stated, "I just got done reading the script and I've got to say, my head is still spinning."
Academy Award winner and Fractured FX artistic director and CEO Justin Raleigh added, "Reading through it [the script], I'm very excited about all the creature potential and the different character possibilities."
