Allu Arjun and Atlee’s ambitious sci-fi action spectacle Raaka continues to grow in scale with every new update. The film already brings together Allu Arjun, Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur and reports suggest that Atlee plans to tell an expansive story across multiple eras.
The latest reports claim that Allu Arjun will play a triple role, while Deepika Padukone will portray a pregnant woman whose struggle for survival becomes an important part of the narrative.
The makers plan to tell Raaka as a two-part saga and mount it on a budget of around ₹1,000 crore. However, the makers have not officially announced either the budget or the two-part format.
The previously reporting an ₹800-crore scale, while other publications have cited the ₹1,000-crore figure.
Allu Arjun Reportedly Takes on Three Different Avatars
The biggest new talking point around Raaka centres on Allu Arjun’s reported triple role. According to a KBP REVIEW report, the actor will portray three characters connected to different timelines. One character reportedly has divine-warrior traits, another carries negative shades, while the report keeps the identity of the third avatar under wraps.
The multiple roles give Atlee an opportunity to present Allu Arjun in drastically different visual and emotional avatars within the same film.
The report also claims that Raaka will travel across three timelines and combine mythology, tribal culture, science fiction and large scale action. Atlee reportedly plans to create elaborate worlds, unusual creatures and extensive visual effects to bring the story to life.
Deepika Padukone Reportedly Plays a Pregnant Woman
Deepika Padukone’s character has emerged as another crucial element of Raaka. She will play a pregnant woman who fights for survival, with her portions connected to a Puranic or Vedic era timeline.
The character adds an emotional layer to what Atlee otherwise presents as a massive sci-fi action spectacle.
Deepika’s real-life pregnancy previously sparked speculation about whether the makers would alter her role. Reports suggested that the team planned the production around her schedule instead of removing her from the project.
The makers reportedly considered using a body double for selected action portions, while Deepika continued to shoot important dramatic scenes herself.
Deepika planned to complete her portions for the first part before taking a maternity break in September.
Rashmika Mandanna Reportedly Becomes Deepika’s Protector
The reunion of Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna provides another major attraction. The pair became Indian cinema’s most recognisable on-screen combinations through the Pushpa franchise, but Raaka will reportedly place them in a completely different world.
Rashmika will reportedly play Deepika Padukone’s protector and help her character survive the dangers surrounding her.
Her role could become particularly important during the September schedule, which will reportedly feature high-intensity action involving Rashmika and Allu Arjun.
The report claims that the team is preparing a massive set at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad for the sequence. Atlee plans to shoot the film’s interval block at the location, with the schedule featuring elaborate action involving Allu Arjun, Rashmika and Malayalam actor Aishwarya Lekshmi.
Janhvi Kapoor as a Tribal Girl, Mrunal Thakur in Another Era
The film’s female ensemble extends beyond Deepika and Rashmika. Janhvi Kapoor reportedly plays a tribal character, describing her as a tribal queen.
Mrunal Thakur also forms part of the ensemble. Her character belongs to another timeline and shares a romantic connection with one of Allu Arjun’s avatars.
Aishwarya Lekshmi has also reportedly joined the project, with recent reports suggesting that she could portray a character with grey or negative shades.
Raaka Reportedly Heads Towards a Two-Part Release
The enormous scope of the story has reportedly prompted the makers to consider splitting Raaka into two films.
Multiple reports claim that the team may release the project in two parts. Atlee, Allu Arjun and producers Sun Pictures discussed the possibility, the team had decided on the two-part format after internal discussions.
However, offered a more cautious version of the development. The makers were exploring a two-part structure because the footage and storyline had grown substantially, but the team had not locked the final format at the time of its report.
Atlee is preparing an action-heavy schedule featuring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna with Aishwarya Lekshmi also involved.
The team will reportedly shoot the sequence on a large set at Ramoji Film City, with the action designed around the film’s interval block.
