Exclusive: Allu Arjun-Atlee's Raaka, mounted on Rs 1,000 crore, is a two-part epic

Allu Arjun's Rakka, made on a massive budget of Rs 1,000 crore, is being planned as a two-part franchise spanning a tribal Puranic Vedic era and present day. The film, directed by Atlee, will also feature four leading ladies.

In Short

• Allu Arjun’s Raaka is being planned as two-part franchise
• The film's story spans tribal Puranic Vedic and modern timelines
• Its budget exceeds Rs 1,000 crore for grand scale

Allu Arjun’s ambitious upcoming film Raaka, directed by Atlee, is set to get an even grander canvas. India Today has exclusively learnt that the Rs 1,000 crore film is being planned as a two-part franchise, with the story unfolding across two distinct worlds and timelines.

According to a source close to the development, Raaka will weave together a narrative set in two different worlds – one rooted in a tribal Puranic Veda era and the other in a contemporary setting. Pegged to be mounted on a budget of over Rs 1,000 crore, the film is expected to emerge as one of the biggest cinematic experiences.

“Raaka is being planned as a two-part franchise film, divided between different timelines. One is set in a tribal Puranic Vedic period, while the other unfolds in a modern contemporary world,” the source exclusively told India Today.

The source also shed light on how the female leads fit into the film's two timelines.“While Mrunal Thakur will be playing the lead during modern times, Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna will be part of the historical period,” the source added.

Here's the first-look poster:

The film has already generated significant buzz for its scale, ensemble cast and the collaboration between Allu Arjun and director Atlee. The two-part format is expected to allow the makers to expand the mythology and world-building, making Raaka one of the biggest cinematic ventures currently in production.

The source also confirmed that Shah Rukh Khan’s much-discussed cameo is yet to be filmed. “SRK’s cameo also remains to be shot. It is being planned overseas,” the source said, hinting at an international schedule for the special appearance.

While the makers have remained tight-lipped about the plot, the latest development suggests that Raaka is being envisioned as a large-scale franchise rather than a standalone film. The dual-timeline narrative is expected to connect the historical and modern worlds, with Allu Arjun at the centre of the story.

An official announcement regarding the two-part release strategy is still awaited. Neither the makers nor the cast have commented on the latest developments.

- Ends