'Raaka' Officially Announced: Allu Arjun, Deepika Padukone, and Atlee Team Up for a Sci-Fi Epic!
The wait is finally over, and the internet is completely melting down! On the occasion of Icon Star Allu Arjun’s 44th birthday (April 8), blockbuster director Atlee finally pulled the curtain back on their highly anticipated project, previously known as AA22xA6.
The movie is officially titled Raaka, and it promises to be a massive, never-before-seen pan-India spectacle. With a terrifying new poster, a massive budget, and the confirmation of Deepika Padukone as the female lead, Raaka is already setting up to be the biggest release of 2027. Here is everything you need to know about the mega-announcement!
The Poster: Allu Arjun's Terrifying "Beast" Avatar
Forget the rustic swag of Pushpa—Atlee is presenting Allu Arjun in a completely unrecognizable and terrifying new avatar.
The official Raaka title poster confirms the wild fan theories that have been circulating all week. The poster showcases Allu Arjun with glowing eyes, wild hair, and sharp, monstrous claws. While the makers haven't explicitly used the word "werewolf," the supernatural, beast-like look makes it very clear that Raaka is going to be a gritty, high-VFX creature feature wrapped in an action-packed sci-fi universe.
Deepika Padukone Joins the Madness
One of the biggest highlights of the Raaka announcement is the official confirmation of the female lead. Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone is joining forces with Allu Arjun for the very first time!
This marks Deepika's second collaboration with director Atlee following their monstrous hit Jawan. Bringing a massive pan-India appeal to the project, her inclusion elevates Raaka from a huge South Indian film to a guaranteed global blockbuster. Rumors also suggest an extended star cast including Mrunal Thakur and Rashmika Mandanna, making this one of the most star-studded films in recent history.
Raaka Cast Remuneration: Deepika’s Massive Paycheck (and a Huge Pay Gap)
When you are making an estimated ₹800 crore mega-blockbuster, the talent doesn't come cheap. The casting of Deepika Padukone is a massive draw for the Hindi-speaking belt, and she is being paid handsomely for it.
According to industry reports, Deepika Padukone is charging a staggering ₹20 to ₹25 crore for her role as the female lead in Raaka. This easily makes her one of the highest-paid actresses in Indian cinema today.
However, her massive paycheck has also sparked a debate online regarding the pay disparity in the industry. Reports suggest that Icon Star Allu Arjun is taking home a mind-boggling ₹175 crore (plus potential profit-sharing) to headline the franchise. This means Deepika is earning roughly seven times less than her male co-star.
Meanwhile, actress Rashmika Mandanna, who is also reported to have a crucial role in the film, is reportedly charging between ₹5 to ₹7 crore. With such astronomical figures tied to the cast alone, director Atlee is under immense pressure to deliver a box-office juggernaut!
When Will 'Raaka' Release?
Since the movie involves heavy VFX, world-building, and intense action choreography, fans will have to be a little patient. The first part of Raaka is currently eyeing a massive global theatrical release in 2027.