Entertainment

AA23 Theme Crosses 1 Million Instagram Reels; Allu Arjun–Lokesh Kanagaraj Celebrate Milestone


The upcoming pan-India film AA23, marking the first collaboration between Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj, has achieved a significant digital milestone even before going on floors. The theme music of the film has crossed one million reels on Instagram, underlining the massive anticipation surrounding the project.

Lokesh recently shared a cheerful selfie with Allu Arjun as the makers revealed that the announcement track, titled “23 Theme,” had become a viral sensation. Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the energetic rap-style number quickly struck a chord with fans following the film’s announcement earlier this year. The track has been widely used for reels, short videos and even as ringtones, reflecting its strong recall value.

AA23 was officially announced in January on the festive occasion of Sankranti (Bhogi, January 14) by Mythri Movie Makers after months of speculation. The production house unveiled a striking concept video carrying the tagline “Strive for greatness,” hinting at the film’s ambitious scale. The teaser featured a powerful visual of a man riding a horse through a dense forest as lions and wolves appear to bow before him, symbolising dominance and grandeur.

Sharing the announcement clip at the time, Lokesh expressed excitement about collaborating with Allu Arjun and reuniting with Anirudh Ravichander, describing the project as the beginning of a massive cinematic journey. The makers have confirmed that the film will have a grand pan-India release.

The celebration of the theme’s digital success comes amid recent online discussions surrounding a reported “42 dos and don’ts” controversy. A brand strategist had claimed on a podcast that a detailed list of guidelines was shared ahead of a scheduled meeting with the actor. The remarks went viral, prompting widespread debate on social media. However, Allu Arjun’s team strongly denied the allegations and reportedly threatened legal action following the backlash. Subsequently, both the brand strategist and the podcaster issued public apologies, and the episode along with related social media clips was taken down.

Despite the surrounding chatter, the momentum around AA23 continues to grow. With its theme already setting records online and the combination of Allu Arjun, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh Ravichander generating enormous interest, the film is shaping up to be one of the most awaited pan-India projects in the coming years.

Films

Yash Celebrates 40th Birthday with Explosive ‘Toxic’ Teaser Release


Kannada superstar Yash rang in his 40th birthday in grand cinematic style with the release of the highly anticipated teaser of his upcoming film Toxic, sending fans and cinephiles into a frenzy.

The nearly three-minute-long teaser plunges viewers into a dark and atmospheric world filled with gangsters, fog-laden forests, high-octane car explosions, gunfire, and stylised violence. Yash appears in a striking new avatar as a bearded anti-hero, exuding menace and intensity in every frame. The visuals are backed by a thunderous background score composed by Ravi Basrur, further amplifying the teaser’s raw energy.

Directed by Geetu Mohandas and co-written by Yash himself, Toxic boasts a powerful ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, and several other prominent actors. The film is positioned as a pan-India and global release, scheduled to hit theatres on March 19, 2026.

Within hours of its release, the teaser crossed 75 million views, drawing praise from filmmakers and actors alike. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and actor Kiara Advani were among those who lauded the teaser’s scale and intensity. However, reactions were mixed in some quarters, with a section of viewers calling it a “cringe fest” and criticising it for relying on familiar gangster tropes.

Despite the divided opinions, Toxic has undeniably succeeded in creating massive anticipation. With its bold visual language, star-studded cast, and Yash’s towering screen presence, the film is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.