Allu Arjun is on an absolute roll — and the directors lining up to work with him after Pushpa 2 are some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. But when it comes to the paycheck, who tops the chart — Atlee for AA22 or Lokesh Kanagaraj for AA23? The numbers are out, and they’re staggering.
Table of Contents
Director Salary Comparison: AA22 vs AA23
| Detail | Atlee (AA22) | Lokesh Kanagaraj (AA23) |
|---|---|---|
| Project | AA22xA6 | AA23 (LK07) |
| Reported Salary | ₹100 Crore | ₹75 Crore |
| Previous Big Film | Jawan (SRK) — ₹30 Cr | Coolie (Rajinikanth) — ₹50 Cr |
| Female Lead | Deepika Padukone | TBA |
| Music | Sai Abhyankkar | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Expected Shoot Start | Ongoing | July 2026 |
Atlee’s ₹100 Crore Fee — A Post-Jawan Leap
After directing Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan — one of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters in recent memory — Atlee’s market value skyrocketed. For his Jawan directorial, he reportedly took home ₹30 crore. Now, for AA22xA6 with Allu Arjun, that number has reportedly tripled to a massive ₹100 crore, making him the higher-paid director of the two.
The film itself is riding on enormous buzz — reportedly built around a “parallel universe” concept, with Deepika Padukone as the female lead and Rashmika Mandanna potentially playing an antagonist. A teaser glimpse is expected on April 8, 2026, coinciding with Atlee’s 44th birthday.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ₹75 Crore — Still a Career-High
Don’t let the second-place finish fool you. LK’s ₹75 crore fee for AA23 is still a massive leap from the ₹50 crore he reportedly earned for Coolie with Rajinikanth — and it marks his debut in Telugu cinema. With Anirudh Ravichander handling the music and a Western-style theme teaser already going viral, AA23 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated collaborations in recent South Indian film history.
Filming is expected to begin in July 2026, with the final script still being refined.
As an auteur known for crafting tightly connected cinematic universes, Lokesh Kanagaraj brings a devoted cult fanbase and proven blockbuster instincts to every project — making his fee entirely justified.
For full updates on both AA22 and AA23, follow TechnoSports Entertainment.
Who’s Worth the Money?
Both directors bring something irreplaceable. Atlee brings mass commercial scale and pan-India crowd-pulling power. Lokesh Kanagaraj brings cult-level storytelling and universe-building that keeps fans obsessing for months. For Allu Arjun — already at the peak of his career post-Pushpa 2 — pairing with both is a calculated masterstroke.
Stay updated on AA22 and AA23 release news at TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q: How much is Atlee being paid to direct Allu Arjun’s AA22?
Atlee is reportedly receiving ₹100 crore for AA22xA6 — a significant jump from the ₹30 crore he earned for directing Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan.
Q: What is Lokesh Kanagaraj’s salary for AA23 with Allu Arjun?
Lokesh Kanagaraj is reportedly earning ₹75 crore for AA23 (LK07), marking both his highest-ever director fee and his first Telugu film project.
