Allu’s Fascination for Kollywood Directors?

Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj recently shared a picture with Allu Arjun on social media, fuelling speculation about their upcoming collaboration, AA23. In the photograph, the two are seen engaged in a conversation, with Lokesh hinting at an announcement soon.

With Arjun also working with Tamil director Atlee on Raaka, the actor appears to be expanding his collaborations with filmmakers from the Tamil film industry. However, director Hemanth Madhukar thinks these choices have more to do with the scripts than any particular fascination with Kollywood directors.

“Allu Arjun seems to be choosing scripts based on their novelty rather than the directors’ regional backgrounds,” he says.

Referring to the glimpse of Raaka, Hemanth says the actor and Atlee appear to be exploring a different approach. He believes AA may have been drawn to Lokesh’s concept, prompting him to consider a collaboration.

Hemanth also points out that regional boundaries are becoming less significant in Indian cinema, with actors increasingly looking beyond their home industries for collaborations. He assumes the actor is interested in working with filmmakers who have experience directing major stars such as Rajinikanth and Vijay.

“That is definitely one of the key factors. These directors have experience in making star-driven spectacles and delivering larger-than-life films. Arjun is currently operating in that space,” he says.

Such cross-industry collaborations are not new, Hemanth adds. Tamil actor Suriya worked with Telugu director Venky Atluri on Vishwanath and Sons. Similarly, Dhanush collaborated with Sekhar Kammula on Kubera. He believes this exchange of talent between film industries will continue.

He was recently spotted meeting filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Mumbai, triggering speculation about a possible collaboration. Hemanth, however, presumes such rumours are a natural part of the industry.