Amidst swirling speculation, director Lokesh Kanagaraj has addressed the rumors surrounding his upcoming project with Allu Arjun, tentatively titled #AA23, and its connection to his long-gestating dream project, Irumbu Kai Maayavi. While stopping short of outright confirmation, Kanagaraj's recent comments have fueled the belief among fans and industry insiders that #AA23 may indeed be the realization of his vision for the superhero film.
Kanagaraj addressed the speculation, stating, "We have just announced the project for now. Let's wait for the official announcement from the production house. As of now, we are just working on a film". This carefully worded response, neither confirming nor denying the connection to Irumbu Kai Maayavi, has been interpreted by many as an indirect confirmation. The director's reluctance to explicitly reveal details has only intensified the anticipation surrounding the project.
Irumbu Kai Maayavi has been a passion project for Kanagaraj for many years. He originally conceived the story with Suriya in mind. The film is reportedly a superhero story with science fiction elements. According to reports, Lokesh first envisioned this project around the time of Maanagaram. It was also rumored that Aamir Khan was at one point considered for the lead role. The project apparently did not materialize due to Rajinikanth's interference, who wanted a starcast from all industries similar to his movie Coolie. The prospect of Kanagaraj finally bringing his dream to life with Allu Arjun has generated considerable excitement.
Adding to the intrigue, reports suggest that #AA23 will have music composed by Anirudh. Kanagaraj is also making his acting debut in DC, directed by Arun Matheswaran and will begin working full-fledged on AA23 after that.
In related news, Kanagaraj has clarified his future commitments within the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Dismissing rumors of his exit from Kaithi 2 or the LCU's conclusion, he affirmed that Kaithi 2 will be his next directorial venture after #AA23. He also reiterated his commitment to Vikram 2 and a standalone Rolex film, assuring fans that the LCU will continue to expand. He confirmed that Benz is also part of the shared universe.
Kanagaraj also addressed his decision to step away from a proposed collaboration with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan after Coolie, stating that their expectations leaned towards a lighter film, a genre he felt he could not authentically deliver. He also responded to criticism around Coolie, noting its commercial success and expressing his intent to create films that connect more deeply with audiences.
