Music composer Anirudh Ravichander is reportedly set to be paid a record-breaking ₹25 crore for scoring AA23 — the pan-India action film starring Allu Arjun and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. If confirmed, the fee would make Anirudh the highest-paid music director in Indian cinema history, surpassing every previous benchmark set in the industry across both Bollywood and South Indian films.
What Is AA23 and Why Is It Such a Big Project?
AA23 is Allu Arjun’s 23rd film and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s seventh — making it one of the most anticipated collaborations announced in Indian cinema in recent years. Pinkvilla reported the official announcement, with the producers describing it as a collaboration that will “strive for greatness.” The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers — the same banner behind Pushpa: The Rule — with Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar producing and Bunny Vas as co-producer.
The film was announced on January 14, 2026 — Sankranthi — with production scheduled to begin in August 2026 and a theatrical release targeted for December 11, 2026. It is being made as a pan-India release across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. The combination of Allu Arjun’s post-Pushpa global stardom, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s track record of slick, high-octane action films, and Anirudh’s ability to create music that transcends regional audiences has made AA23 one of the most discussed upcoming Indian productions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | AA23 (working title) |
| Lead Actor | Allu Arjun |
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Music | Anirudh Ravichander (reportedly ₹25 Cr fee) |
| Producer | Mythri Movie Makers |
| Shoot Start | August 2026 |
| Expected Release | December 11, 2026 |
| Languages | Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada |
Why Is Anirudh’s ₹25 Crore Fee a Record?
Music directors in Indian cinema have historically earned a fraction of what leading actors and directors command — even on the biggest productions. The ₹25 crore fee reportedly being offered to Anirudh for AA23 would change that equation entirely. A widely circulated post on X confirmed the figure, noting that no music composer in India — across Bollywood or South Indian cinema — has previously been paid at this scale for a single film.
Anirudh’s rise to this position has been rapid and consistent. He composed the music for Leo, Vikram, and Jailer — all Lokesh Kanagaraj-adjacent productions — and delivered multiple chartbusting albums across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi projects. His work on Pushpa: The Rule for Allu Arjun, including the phenomenon of Pushpa Pushpa, demonstrated that his music could drive a film’s cultural impact beyond the theatre. The AA23 salary reflects that the makers are treating his contribution as equal in commercial value to the director’s vision and the star’s screen presence.
What Do We Know About Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Fee and the Film’s Budget?
Anirudh is not the only member of the AA23 team commanding record numbers. Pinkvilla reported that Lokesh Kanagaraj has been offered ₹75 crore as his directorial fee — itself a record for any Indian director. The scale of remuneration across the creative team positions AA23 as one of the most expensive Indian productions ever assembled, even before principal photography has begun.
Lokesh Kanagaraj built his reputation through the interconnected Lokesh Cinematic Universe — Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo — films that demonstrated his ability to construct layered action narratives with ensemble casts, sharp editing rhythms, and music that functions as an integral part of the storytelling rather than mere background score. That specific alignment between his filmmaking style and Anirudh’s compositional approach is a key reason Mythri Movie Makers is investing at this level.
Who Else Is Being Linked to AA23?
The film’s cast beyond Allu Arjun has not been officially confirmed. Pinkvilla reported that Shraddha Kapoor is in talks for the female lead, which would give the film a major Bollywood presence alongside Allu Arjun’s pan-India star power. If confirmed, it would be Kapoor’s first South Indian production — a significant crossover casting for a film already generating enormous trade interest. Sacnilk confirmed that the shoot is set to begin in August 2026, with the full cast expected to be announced ahead of the production start.