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Atlee developed the film following the success of Jawan (2023), having previously considered several ideas for his next directorial project, including a two‑hero film featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Vijay. By late 2023, Allu Arjun had emerged as the lead for a new film to be directed by Atlee and produced by Geetha Arts. However, the project was shelved in mid‑2024 due to creative differences, during which time Salman Khan was briefly attached to a separate collaboration with Atlee. In early 2025, the filmmaker revived the project after Arjun's schedule cleared, with Sun Pictures joining as the production house. The film was officially announced in April 2025 under the working title AA22xA6, denoting Arjun's 22nd film as a lead actor and Atlee's sixth directorial venture. Principal photography commenced in June 2025 in Mumbai. The music is composed by Sai Abhyankkar.
After the success of Jawan in late 2023, director Atlee revealed that he had plans to either collaborate with a Hollywood-based screenwriter to make an 'entertaining film', pitching a script to actors Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan and to direct it if both are impressed, joining hands with Ajith Kumar or make his Hollywood debut for his upcoming directorial work.[2] That November, Atlee confirmed that his next directorial venture could feature Vijay and Khan in the lead roles. He stated that, on his birthday during the shoot of Jawan, he invited Vijay to the sets where he and Khan had discussed a potential collaboration between the two and requested Atlee to direct it.[3][4] The following month, the director confirmed that he had begun writing the script.[5]
However, the same month, it was reported that Allu Arjun was the front-runner for the director's upcoming venture. Atlee himself was reportedly the producer of the project, under A for Apple Productions, and it was expected to begin production in late 2024.[6][7] In February 2024, Atlee confirmed his Hollywood debut and stated that production would be done within three years, however it was unsure whether it was his next work or another.[8][9] The following month, reports claiming that the director's next directorial venture would star Arjun became stronger.[10] Reportedly made on a budget of ₹350 crore (US$41million), Allu Aravind's production house Geetha Arts were to fund the project. In April, Atlee had reportedly begun writing the script.[11] The following June, however, it was reported that the project was shelved due to Atlee's high remuneration and creative differences.[12][13] It was also reported that Arjun chose to priorities his project with Trivikram Srinivas at first, and would work with Atlee after that.[14]
Salman Khan was later reported to replace as the lead actor of the film.[15][16] Production was reported to commence in early 2025, after Khan had completed filming for Sikandar (2025). Reports also claimed that Atlee was turning the initial idea into a script, and they would finalise shooting schedule after the director narrates the final script to the actor.[17] In July, it was reported that Kamal Haasan would also come on board as a lead actor, after he was impressed by the initial idea pitched by Atlee, but is waiting on confirming the project until the director completes the final script.[18] The final paperwork was reported to be completed by October, as Atlee would have completed the final script and narrated it to Khan and Haasan by then, whereas the pre-production would being in October and filming would commence in January 2025.[19][20] In November, the film was reported to be a action drama film based on reincarnation, and the commencement of filming was delayed to the summer of 2025.[21] Made on a reported budget of ₹500 crore (US$59million), the project received the tentative titleA6, the same month, as it signifies as Atlee's sixth directorial work.[22][23]
In February 2025, it was reported that Atlee chose to shelve the project indefinitely and would resume the works for his previous project with Arjun, as the actor's project with Trivikram was delayed further more and he instead suggested that he would prioritise the production for this project.[24][25] Atlee's project with Khan and Haasan was also reported to have been put on hold due to budgeting and casting issues.[26] In early March, pre-production was reported to begin in April, filming would commence in the middle of the year and the film would be released in 2026. Atlee would reportedly receive a remuneration of ₹100 crore (US$12million) and was reported to have brought onboard Anirudh Ravichander as the composer.[27]
Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers confirmed the project, stating that Arjun's next film would be directed by Atlee.[28][29] In early April, Sun Pictures was confirmed to produce the venture, as Arjun was seen meeting with Kalanithi Maran and Atlee in Chennai.[30] The company made a public announcement on 8 April 2025, coinciding with Arjun's birthday, tentatively titledAA22xA6.[31] The film is made on a production budget of ₹600 crore (US$71million)–₹800 crore (US$95million).[1][32]
Like Atlee's previous films Mersal (2017), Bigil (2019) and Jawan (2023), Allu Arjun would be playing multiple roles in this film too.[33][34] A test shoot was held in May 2025 in Mumbai.[35] Initially, Priyanka Chopra was reported to have been cast as the female lead, but soon after it was said that she was reportedly in discussion for when Salman Khan was onboard and not Arjun.[36] In late May 2025, the film was reported to feature six female leads.[37]Deepika Padukone was announced the following month as the main female lead.[38] A few days later, Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor's casting was confirmed.[39]
Principal photography was initially scheduled to begin in October 2025.[40] However, it began with an inaugural puja ceremony on 11 June 2025 at a film city in Mumbai.[27] The first schedule commenced the following day.[41][42] Atlee had allocated 210 days of shoot from the actors for the film.[39] Arjun and Thakur were part of the schedule, while Padukone would join later.[43][44] In November, filming took place at a specifically-built VFX studio in Mumbai, and was expected to complete the entire process by June 2026.[45] However, the following month, it was reported that the film would be split into two parts due to its large scale, and the filming of the first part was nearly completed.[46]
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