As Indian cinema evolves in both scale and ambition, a new frontier is being tested by the powerhouse combination of actor Allu Arjun and director Atlee. Their upcoming untitled project, backed by Sun Pictures and rumoured to be one of the most expensive Indian films to date, is attracting immense curiosity—and controversy.
This high-budget spectacle grabbed headlines once again when Deepika Padukone was announced as one of the leading actors, following earlier teasers that introduced Allu Arjun in a futuristic setup. A recent announcement video featuring Deepika and Atlee offered glimpses into the film’s behind-the-scenes prep—particularly its extensive use of VFX and blue screen technology, a technique largely associated with Hollywood blockbusters.
Both announcement videos, one featuring Allu Arjun and the other Deepika, showcased the actors rehearsing with technical teams in chroma studios, surrounded by sophisticated virtual production setups. These visuals suggest that a large portion of the film may be shot within studio environments, much like James Cameron’s Avatar or Denis Villeneuve’s Dune.
While this signals a massive leap in Indian filmmaking, it also raises a crucial question: Will Indian viewers accept a film that relies heavily on computer-generated environments?
The Indian film industry has a checkered history when it comes to studio-based, VFX-heavy narratives. Rajinikanth’s Kochadaiiyaan (2014) and Prabhas’ Adipurush (2023) both leaned into CGI-heavy storytelling but were met with underwhelming critical and commercial responses. Despite technological ambition, Indian audiences have traditionally leaned towards realism, preferring to see their favorite stars in relatable, grounded settings.
This is the landscape Atlee and Allu Arjun now seek to challenge.
Director Atlee, who recently received an honorary doctorate from Sathyabama University in Chennai, took the opportunity to address longstanding criticism surrounding his work—specifically allegations of plagiarism. Speaking at the convocation event, Atlee said:
“There’s a perception that my films are copied, but let me speak from my life today. When they played the music of Mersal, I felt I’ve earned this through honesty and love. I promise today that I will make this country proud.”
He also revealed that the character Michael Rayappan, portrayed by Vijay in Bigil, was inspired by Dr. Jeppiaar, founder of the same university—showing that real-life inspirations often shape his stories.
Atlee didn’t shy away from addressing the upcoming film either:
“Kalanithi Maran sir is producing this film. It’s one of the most expensive Indian films ever. We’re using new technology, and I’m dreaming big. The final budget is yet to be locked, and the producer will decide the release date.”
However, internet users were quick to point out the uncanny resemblance between the film’s promotional visuals and the poster design of the Hollywood sci-fi classic Dune, prompting fresh rounds of plagiarism accusations.
For Allu Arjun, whose Pushpa franchise elevated him to pan-India stardom, this film marks his most experimental venture yet. His support for Atlee was evident when he took to social media to congratulate the director on his doctorate:
“Big congratulations to @Atlee_dir garu on receiving the honorary doctorate. Really happy to see your passion and craft being celebrated. Wishing you many more heights ahead.”
With Atlee’s track record (Theri, Mersal, Jawan) and Allu Arjun’s crowd-pulling charisma, expectations are soaring. Add Deepika Padukone’s star power and the technical might of Sun Pictures, and you have a recipe for either cinematic history—or a spectacular misfire.
While the ambition behind the Atlee-Allu Arjun-Deepika Padukone project is undeniable, its fate will ultimately depend on how successfully it balances visual grandeur with emotional depth. As Indian cinema steps into a new visual era, the audience’s response to this high-tech gamble could define the future of big-budget filmmaking in the country.