Atlee, the ace director of the ₹1000 crore-grossing smash hit Jawan, still finds himself grappling with closing his next venture. Despite having delivered one of the biggest hits in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan, he cannot seem to secure a new movie.
He had earlier made a grand collaboration plan with South India’s highest-demanding actor, Allu Arjun. Due to financial limitations and payment issues, the producers were left with no other choice but to shelve the project. Next, Atlee attempted a multi-starrer project with Kamal Haasan and Salman Khan, but even that idea got busted.
Earlier, reports indicated that Atlee renewed talks with Allu Arjun, sending fans into a tizzy. Most thought an announcement was imminent. Fresh industry gossip now points to the film being hindered by the same budget issues that had stopped it before, disappointing fans yet again.
Budget and Compensation Issues Hold Up the Film Again
Both Atlee and Allu Arjun now have huge fan followings and industry respect. Atlee went beyond Tamil cinema with Jawan, and Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule will be one of India’s most awaited films. Their success has added considerably to their market value.
Of course, both charge steep compensation for their ventures. Producers realize their worth but are cautious about green-lighting an excessively high-budget venture under Atlee’s hand.
Atlee is a maker of big-budget action entertainers, and the movie would entail massive investment in production, action numbers, and promotion. Still, producers do not want to risk investing large amounts without assurances of box office triumph.
Even with Jawan’s box office records, industry insiders attribute its success less to Atlee’s directorship and more to Shah Rukh Khan’s star power. This is why investors are apprehensive about whether Atlee on his own can match that success with Allu Arjun.
Atlee’s earlier successes, such as Mersal, Bigil, and Jawan, all depended hugely on star power of their top stars. Unlike SS Rajamouli, who established his box office draw with Baahubali and RRR, Atlee hasn’t yet proven himself as a director capable of ensuring a movie will achieve pan-Indian success all by himself.
Atlee’s Multi-Starrer with Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan Also Shelved
Prior to going back to talks with Allu Arjun, Atlee had conceived a big-budget multi-starrer with Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan. Had it been made, the movie would have united two of India’s largest superstars, generating huge hype.
But scheduling issues and budgetary problems made the makers abandon the project. Both Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan draw huge paychecks, and the movie would have been a very costly affair.
With that strategy failing, Atlee thought Allu Arjun was the second-best choice for a pan-Indian entertainer. History repeated itself again, though, and budgetary issues once again brought the film to a standstill.
Can Atlee Give a Pushpa-Level Blockbuster?
Although Atlee managed to give back-to-back hits with Vijay in Tamil cinema, whether he can produce a pan-Indian blockbuster regardless of superstar pressure is still untested.
Comparing his career with Pushpa: The Rise director Sukumar brings stark contrasts to light.
- Sukumar made Allu Arjun a pan-Indian superstar with Pushpa.
- The raw, rural action, and mass popularity of the movie made it a national phenomenon.
- Sukumar’s directorial decisions were crucial for its success regardless of any Bollywood superstar.
- Conversely, Atlee’s Jawan depended on the international fanbase of Shah Rukh Khan and the marketing muscle of Bollywood. Although Atlee’s taste is best suited for mass action movies, he is yet to establish himself as a visionary filmmaker like Rajamouli or Sukumar.
This doubt discourages producers from investing massive funds in his upcoming project, particularly when Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 will take over the box office in 2024.
Allu Arjun Explores Another Director:
If budget issues persist, Allu Arjun can divert his attention to another project.
He already has projects scheduled with Trivikram Srinivas and other leading directors.
Atlee Signs a Different Actor’s Film:
In case of negotiations failing, Atlee can opt to direct a different South Indian or Bollywood actor.
He can target actors such as Ranveer Singh, Vijay, or Jr. NTR for his next project.
Until an official announcement comes, fans have to wait and watch if this much-awaited collaboration will happen or not.
Read Also :- Dil Raju Acquires Theatrical Rights for Nani’s HIT 3 in Telugu States
Final Thoughts – Will This High-Profile Collaboration Happen?
The Atlee-Allu Arjun movie can be a huge pan-Indian blockbuster, but the monetary differences keep delaying its progress. Both Atlee and Allu Arjun charge high fees, so producers are hesitant to greenlight a big-budget action movie without assured returns.
Atlee has to demonstrate that he can produce a pan-India hit irrespective of superstar pull, and Allu Arjun has to select films that maintain his pan-India momentum after Pushpa 2.
The next few months will tell if this dream project eventually happens or stays an unfulfilled rumor. For the moment, fans eagerly look forward to knowing Atlee and Allu Arjun’s film future.
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