Allu Arjun and Basil Joseph in Final Talks? Here's what we know

BY SACNILK

Following the massive global success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Allu Arjun appears to be focusing on a diverse slate of projects that span multiple regional industries. Rather than sticking to a single market, he is systematically collaborating with prominent filmmakers from the Tamil and Malayalam industries alongside his Telugu roots. This move suggests a calculated approach to strengthening his pan-Indian presence through a variety of genres over the next few years. The newest development that has caught everyone's attention is a rumored collaboration between Allu Arjun and Malayalam director Basil Joseph. The buzz started when Basil Joseph shared a social media post featuring an ICON cap set to a popular track from Arya 2. This has led to reports that the two are in the final stages of discussion for a film, often referred to as the B and B combo. If the deal is finalized, this project is expected to be a high-budget superhero entertainer that could start production by late 2027 under the Geetha Arts banner. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the Basil Joseph project is the latest talk of the town, Allu Arjun already has two massive projects lined up. First is Raaka, or AA22, directed by Atlee. This project is currently under active production and is being described as a heavy-VFX sci-fi fantasy action entertainer. It features Deepika Padukone as the female lead with music scored by Sai Abhyankkar. Given the extensive post-production required for such a visual spectacle, the film is slated for a grand arrival between late 2027 and mid-2028. Following that, the actor is set to team up with Lokesh Kanagaraj for AA23. Initial styling and look tests for this project were recently completed in Mumbai, and regular shooting is expected to begin around December 2026 or January 2027. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers, this is touted to be a gritty action thriller with music by Anirudh Ravichander. There is significant speculation among fans regarding whether this film will eventually link into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The long-term planning for Allu Arjun extends even further with a project featuring director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. This collaboration is expected to roll out closer to 2028 or 2029, as the director is currently occupied with other major commitments. With directors like Atlee, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and potentially Basil Joseph on his roster, the actor is systematically working with the most influential commercial filmmakers in the South. Basil Joseph, the director linked to this new project, is a unique talent who balances both directing and acting. While he is widely recognized for directing the 2021 superhero hit Minnal Murali, he has also been very active as an actor. His upcoming acting slate includes roles in Malayalam films such as Maranamass, Pravinkoodu Shappu, and the drama Ponman. Transitioning back to the director's chair for a star of Allu Arjun's stature would be a significant step in his career and a highly anticipated move for the audience.

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, June 3 - Rumours have been circulating on social media suggesting that Allu Arjun's highly anticipated collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj, tentatively called AA23, may have been shelved. However, the latest developments indicate that the project remains very much on track. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film was officially announced on January 14, 2026, by Mythri Movie Makers, marking the first-ever collaboration between Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj. The announcement video generated massive excitement among fans, and it was confirmed that the project would begin production in 2026. In April 2026, updates revealed that script work for the project was actively underway, with the makers focusing on developing the screenplay before moving into full-scale production. Reports also suggested that shooting was planned to commence during 2026 after the completion of pre-production activities. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The speculation regarding the project cancellation appears to stem from the lengthy pre-production process and the busy schedules of both Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj. According to the Tamil industry tracker, Ramesh Bala, all the rumours surrounding the project being shelved are completely baseless. The film is very much on track and progressing exactly as planned. At present, there is no official statement from the actor, director, or production house suggesting that AA23 has been shelved. On the contrary, the most recent reports indicate that the film remains in development, with scripting and pre-production continuing ahead of its planned shoot. Given the scale of the collaboration and the expectations surrounding the project, fans may have to wait longer than expected.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, June 2 - Bollywood star Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has set a benchmark that seemed unimaginable when the film was announced. The spy-action blockbuster shattered numerous domestic and worldwide box office records, emerging as one of the biggest Indian films of all time with over 1800 crores worldwide. Dhurandhar 2 is the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide (without China), and it took almost 10 years for a film to break Baahubali 2's record. However, with several mega-budget spectacles lined up over the next couple of years, it is believed that the reign of Dhurandhar 2 could eventually be challenged. Here are five films that have the potential to surpass Dhurandhar 2's historic box office achievements. 1. Ramayana Part 1 (Diwali 2026) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) There is perhaps no Indian film carrying more anticipation than Ramayana Part 1. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and featuring an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, the film aims to bring one of India's most revered epics to the big screen on an unprecedented scale. The story of Lord Ram has a universal appeal across generations and regions. Combined with cutting-edge visual effects and a massive production budget, Ramayana Part 1 has all the ingredients needed to become a global phenomenon. 2. Varanasi (April 2027) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Among all upcoming films, Varanasi may be the biggest wildcard. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli and starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, the film is reportedly being mounted on a scale rarely seen in Indian cinema. The Rajamouli factor alone makes Varanasi a serious contender. The filmmaker has consistently expanded the box office ceiling with films like Baahubali and RRR. Combined with the cast's worldwide appeal and an ambitious, globe-trotting adventure narrative rooted in Indian mythology, Varanasi is being positioned as a global cinematic event rather than a regular commercial release. 3. Raaka (TBA 2027) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Among the newer contenders, sci-fi actioner Raaka has quickly established itself as one of the biggest upcoming projects. Directed by Atlee and headlined by Allu Arjun, the film is being mounted as a large-scale sci-fi action entertainer with futuristic world-building and extensive visual effects. The film benefits from a dream combination of Atlee's commercial filmmaking expertise and Allu Arjun's massive popularity following the success of the Pushpa franchise. Unlike most Indian blockbusters, Raaka is exploring the relatively untapped sci-fi genre, which gives it a fresh identity in the marketplace. 4. Ramayana Part 2 (Diwali 2027) If Ramayana Part 1 becomes a blockbuster as expected, the second part could operate on an entirely different level. Historically, successful films often witness massive growth with their follow-up instalments. The climactic portions of the Ramayana, including the battle between Lord Ram and Ravana, are among the most celebrated stories in Indian epic. This gives Ramayana Part 2 the potential to become one of the biggest cinematic events in Indian history and possibly surpass every existing box office benchmark. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 5. Kalki Part 2 (TBA 2027/2028) Following the 1000+ crores success, the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD has been one of the most-awaited films with the first film leaving fans on the edge. With Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan set to return, with Sai Pallavi replacing Deepika Padukone, Kalki Part 2 could benefit from both franchise goodwill and heightened audience curiosity. If the sequel successfully expands the scale and emotional stakes, it has the potential to become a worldwide box office juggernaut. Can These Films Really Surpass Dhurandhar 2? Breaking the records of Dhurandhar 2 will not be easy. The film benefited from exceptional word-of-mouth, repeat viewership, strong overseas performance, and massive pan-India appeal. However, Ramayana Part 1, Ramayana Part 2, Kalki Part 2, Varanasi, and Raaka represent a new generation of event cinema designed specifically for the theatrical experience. Each of these films possesses the scale, star power, and anticipation required to generate historic numbers. If exucation is right, then sky is the limit for these titles at the box office.

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, April 21 - The Telugu film industry is lining up what could be one of its most explosive years yet at the box office in 2027. With a carefully spaced release calendar and a lineup of mega-budget films featuring top-tier stars and visionary filmmakers, Tollywood is preparing for a global takeover. Spirit: The Explosive Kickstart to 2027 Pan India superstar Prabhas has teamed up with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga for a cop action thriller Spirit. Slated for a March 5 release, the film is expected to set the tone for what could be the best year ever for Telugu cinema, not just at the Indian box office, but also globally. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Spirit marks the first collaboration between Prabhas and Vanga, making it one of the most anticipated projects in Indian cinema. With Vanga known for his hard-hitting storytelling and Prabhas commanding a massive pan-India fanbase, the film is expected to open to record numbers at the box office and set the tone for the year. Varanasi: Rajamouli's Global Spectacle Following the global success of RRR, SS Rajamouli is coming up with his next spectacle Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu with Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The action-adventure is scheduled to release on April 7, 2027. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Mounted on a grand scale and budget, Varanasi is said to blend an episode of Ramayana with time-travel elements and is being designed as a global cinematic experience. After the unprecedented success of RRR, expectations from Rajamouli are sky-high, and this film could redefine international benchmarks once again. Dragon: Jr NTR & Prashanth Neel To Bring Mass Mayhem The latest film to join the 2027 mega showdown is Dragon a.k.a. NTRNeel. The summer season will witness the arrival of Dragon, starring Jr. NTR and directed by Prashanth Neel. The film is locked for a June 11, 2027, release, after being pushed from its original June 2026 launch. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Known for his stylised gritty action and larger-than-life narratives, Prashanth Neel teaming up with Jr NTR for the first time has already generated immense buzz. Dragon is expected to be a high-octane entertainer packed with powerful action sequences and strong mass appeal, making it a potential blockbuster. Raaka: Allu Arjun & Atlee's Sci-Fi Spectacle Closing the year could be Raaka, starring Allu Arjun and directed by Atlee. It is perhaps the most intriguing collaboration where Atlee steps out from his usual commercial template to create something which he has never attempted before. While the exact release date is yet to be confirmed, the film is expected to arrive in the latter half of 2027. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Touted as a VFX-heavy sci-fi spectacle, Raaka is being designed for a pan-India and global audience. After the massive success of Pushpa 2, expectations from Allu Arjun's next have skyrocketed, and this film could end the year on a record-breaking note. With Spirit, Varanasi, Dragon, and Raaka spaced across the year, with a few more expected to join the bandwagon, Tollywood has built a powerful release calendar for 2027. Each film carries blockbuster potential, and together, they could make 2027 a landmark year not just for Tollywood but for Indian cinema, further strengthening its position on the global stage.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 18 - Ranveer Singh-fronted Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has climbed one more milestone at the global box office. The blockbuster has now surpassed the lifetime worldwide box office of Pushpa 2: The Rule to emerge as the third-highest-grossing Indian film of all time. It is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios. After a phenomenal theatrical run spanning weeks, Dhurandhar 2's worldwide gross has climbed to 1,742+ crore, overtaking Pushpa 2, which concluded its run at around 1,742 crore. The achievement comes on the back of sustained momentum in both domestic and overseas markets, after the monstrous opening week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Strong Hold Across Markets The film has performed exceptionally well in India, where it has already crossed the 1,100 crore net mark, making it the highest-grossing Bollywood film in the country. Internationally too, Dhurandhar 2 has delivered outstanding numbers, contributing around 420 crores to the overall total. What makes this run even more remarkable is the film's consistency. Even in its later weeks, it has managed to draw audiences to theatres, aided by positive word-of-mouth and repeat viewership. With this milestone, Dhurandhar 2 now stands behind only two films in the all-time global rankings (including all markets). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top Indian Grossers Worldwide Without Gulf & China S. No. Movie Total Worldwide Gross 1 Dangal ₹ 2070 Cr 2 Baahubali 2 ₹ 1788 Cr 3 Dhurandhar 2 ₹ 1742+ Cr 4 Pushpa 2 ₹ 1742 Cr As of April 17, 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A Landmark Moment For Bollywood The success of Dhurandhar 2 is being seen as a significant boost for Bollywood on the global stage. Not only has it outperformed several big-ticket releases, but it has also proven the massive overseas potential of Hindi cinema without depending heavily on select international territories. In fact, it is the highest-grossing Indian film overseas, if excluding China. The film's scale, mass appeal, conviction to tell the original story, and star power have all contributed to its historic run, with Ranveer Singh delivering one of the biggest successes of his career. While Dangal remains far ahead at the top, the next immediate target for Dhurandhar 2 is Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. With a gap of around 45 crore, the film still has an outside chance of climbing to the second position, depending on how long it can sustain its run in theatres. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Highlight of Dhurandhar 2's Box Office Run - The first film ever to cross 1000 crore net in a single language in India - The highest-grossing Indian film of all time without China. - Places Dhurandhar among the biggest global film brands from India - Only Indian film series to have two titles in the 1000 crores club - Highest-grossing Indian film overseas without China. - The first Indian film series to cross 3000 crores worldwide (Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2).

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 13 - Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has scripted box office history by emerging as the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide without any contribution from the Gulf and China markets. In just 24 days, the Ranveer Singh starrer has stormed past the 1700 crore mark globally, setting a new benchmark for Hindi cinema. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action thriller's phenomenal run has been driven by a dominant domestic performance and a once-in-a-lifetime overseas showing. Despite missing out on two of the most lucrative international circuits, Dhurandhar 2 has raked in 410+ crore gross overseas, powered by exceptional collections in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and key European territories. Worldwide Box Office Numbers (Without Gulf & China) Dhurandhar 2 – 1700+ crore (24 days) Pushpa 2: The Rule – 1685+ crore Baahubali 2: The Conclusion – 1615+ crore Indian blockbusters have relied on Gulf countries for consistent NRI footfall. China, though it is not a regular market for Indian films, can boost collections to extraordinary levels. Films like Dangal and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion significantly benefited from these regions. However, Dhurandhar 2 has rewritten that narrative by achieving record-breaking numbers purely on the strength of its core markets and widespread audience acceptance. The sequel has also crossed the 1000 crore net mark in India as well as in Hindi, underlining its massive domestic pull. Its sustained run, aided by strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership, has ensured that it remains a top draw even into its fourth week, an increasingly rare feat for a heavily frontloaded title. Top Indian Grossers Worldwide Without Gulf & China S. No. Movie Total Worldwide Gross WW Gross (Excl. Gulf & China) 1 Dhurandhar 2 ₹ 1700+ Cr ₹ 1700+ Cr 2 Pushpa 2 ₹ 1742 Cr ₹ 1685+ Cr 3 Baahubali 2 ₹ 1788 Cr ₹ 1615+ Cr As of April 12, 2026. With 1700+ crore already in the bag and momentum still intact, Dhurandhar 2 is now eyeing the finish in the top 3 biggest Indian grossers, even with China and the Gulf. More importantly, its success marks a significant shift in box office dynamics, proving that a film can achieve unprecedented global success even without access to traditional high-revenue international markets.