Just when you thought the excitement around AA23 (LK07) couldn’t get bigger, a fresh wave of buzz has arrived. Reports now suggest that Pooja Hegde is being considered as the female lead in Allu Arjun’s upcoming collaboration with acclaimed director Lokesh Kanagaraj — which would mark their third on-screen pairing together. Fans of the duo are understandably losing their minds.
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AA23 (LK07): All the Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film Code | AA23 / LK07 |
| Lead Actor | Allu Arjun |
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Possible Female Lead | Pooja Hegde (reports, unconfirmed) |
| Music | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Script Status | In development (as of May 2026) |
| Type | Pan-Indian Action Film |
| Allu Arjun–Pooja Previous Films | DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo |
The Pooja Hegde Buzz — What We Know
According to online reports, Pooja Hegde is being considered for the co-lead role in Allu Arjun’s AA23 and is reportedly in talks with the makers regarding the project. However, the team has not yet made any official confirmation.
If the reports hold true, this reunion would be special. The duo had previously worked together in DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo — both films performing well at the box office — making another reunion an exciting prospect for fans.
There’s also a fun Lokesh Kanagaraj connection here. Pooja Hegde made a cameo appearance in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s previous directorial Coolie — the Rajinikanth starrer featured the actress in the song Monica, composed by Anirudh Ravichander. So she already has a footprint in the LK universe.
What Makes AA23 So Exciting
In the teaser, Allu Arjun is seen wearing the iconic silver kada frequently featured in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s films, hinting at a stylish, Western-inspired tone. The film will feature music and background score composed by Anirudh, marking his first collaboration with Allu Arjun. The “23 Theme,” written by Heisenberg, recently went viral on Instagram Reels.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s co-writer and director Rathna Kumar also revealed that the movie would be “a proper pan-Indian film” because of its international appeal.
This collision of India’s biggest action star with Tamil cinema’s most stylish director — backed by Anirudh’s music — is a combination that’s hard not to get excited about. Lokesh Kanagaraj is widely credited with building one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious shared universes, the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, which has connected Kaithi, Vikram, and Coolie into a single thrilling narrative world.
What Are the Stars Working on Right Now?
Allu Arjun will next headline Raaka, directed by Atlee — a big-budget entertainer expected to feature extensive CGI and VFX. Deepika Padukone has been confirmed as the female lead, while Rashmika Mandanna is reportedly expected to play an antagonist. Meanwhile, Pooja Hegde is set to star alongside Varun Dhawan and Mrunal Thakur in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, scheduled for June 5, 2026. She also has Jana Nayagan, Kanchana 4, and DQ41 in her lineup.
For the latest Telugu cinema news, release dates, and box office updates, stay with TechnoSports’ South Indian entertainment hub and our Telugu film tracker for 2026.
FAQs
Q: Which films did Allu Arjun and Pooja Hegde previously star in together?
The duo has collaborated twice before — in DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo — both of which were commercially successful at the box office.
Q: Is AA23 officially confirmed to go on floors soon?
Script work is currently underway, with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s co-writer Rathna Kumar confirming that work on AA23 was set to begin from the second week of May 2026, though no official shoot dates have been announced yet.
