Allu Arjun’s untitled directorial project with Lokesh Kanagaraj, rumored to be titled AA23, is reportedly targeting a Christmas 2027 release. Ram Charan’s untitled sequel with Sukumar, rumored to be titled RC17, is reportedly targeting a 2028 release. Both are yet to be officially confirmed by the filmmakers. Telugu news portal Telugu Chitraalu reported the prospective release dates.
AA23 is the first project that Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj are working on together. The pan-Indian action flick will feature music by Anirudh Ravichander. Actor Pooja Hegde is also rumored to star in the film as the heroine. If this becomes official, it will be Hegde’s third film with Allu Arjun after DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.
Back in April 2026, filmmakers posted a photo of Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj together and confirmed that filming will commence later this year. Lokesh Kanagaraj reportedly did a trial shoot with the actor on June 26, 2026. Previously in April, another website reported that the film was scheduled to release in December 2028, but now we’re hearing a Christmas 2027 release. Here’s hoping they release the film in December rather than November or October like usual!
RC17 is the first film Ram Charan and Sukumar will be working on since the latter’s Rangasthalam released in 2018. First announced in March 2024, RC17 is being produced by Mythri Movie Makers with music by Devi Sri Prasad.
We have heard time and again that the film is complete and that the actor just needs to hear it from the director. Sukumar apparently gave three concepts to Ram Charan before deciding on RC17’s story. The actor reportedly would have heard the full script by mid-May.
The film has been in the pre-production phase for quite some time now. The actor will reportedly lose weight and grow long hair for his mysterious character in the film. Filming was initially scheduled to begin in mid-2026; however, a recent report suggests that the film might not start until 2027.
If true, this news supports earlier reports that Sukumar is taking his time to come up with the perfect script for the film. Previously, it was also said that the delay is good news for Ram Charan who suffered from a wrist injury while shooting for Peddi.
And as you might recall, RC17 is said to be a stylish, urban action thriller that unfolds in a single part and features Sukumar’s narrative style of screenplay with many layers. “The beginning of the film will be hard-hitting. It will make the audience quiver in their seats,” filmmaker SS Rajamouli had told the media about the film.
Sukumar has stated in the past that he intends to start shooting RC17 as soon as possible. If that pushes back the start of Pushpa 3, then Allu Arjun’s next Pushpa film will reportedly begin shooting in 2027, after Sukumar wraps up work on RC17.
Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, opened in theaters on June 4 and performed well commercially.