Salman Khan out, Allu Arjun in; Atlee’s upcoming action film goes through casting upheaval

In a major development for Bollywood and South Indian cinema fans, superstar Allu Arjun has replaced Salman Khan in director Atlee’s highly anticipated action film.

According to reports, the Pushpa 2 star has been finalized for the lead role in the big-budget action drama.

Initially, the film was planned with Salman Khan in the lead. However, due to concerns over his recent box office performances, the producers, Sun Pictures, reportedly opted for Allu Arjun instead. The film, which revolves around a reincarnation theme, requires a massive budget, and the producers were hesitant to proceed with Salman Khan following his recent box office setbacks.

With Pushpa 2 generating immense buzz and Allu Arjun’s popularity expanding beyond the South Indian market, the makers believed he was the ideal choice for the role.

Indian media outlet Peeping Moon reported that Atlee also faced certain creative challenges with Salman Khan, leading him to approach Allu Arjun.

While legal formalities are still being finalized, Allu Arjun has reportedly given his verbal approval for the project. The film's shooting is expected to begin in April or May.

The high-profile action drama will feature a two-hero storyline and will be produced by Sun Pictures. While the second male lead and the female protagonist are yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that Janhvi Kapoor is a strong contender for the heroine’s role. However, no official announcement has been made yet.