Director Atlee’s much-anticipated collaboration with Salman Khan has been put on the back burner, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts with Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. The film, which was envisioned as a grand two-hero project backed by Sun Pictures, was expected to bring together major stars from both Bollywood and the South Indian film industry.
According to Pinkvilla, while Salman had given his nod to the project, the casting of the second lead became a major hurdle. Kamal Haasan was hesitant about playing a role that positioned him as Salman’s father, while Rajinikanth had prior commitments, including ‘Coolie’ and ‘Jailer 2’, which will keep him occupied until at least 2026. With both senior actors unavailable, Atlee and Sun Pictures explored alternative options but struggled to find a South Indian superstar with the necessary market appeal for digital and satellite revenues.
As the casting process became increasingly challenging, the team reportedly considered taking the project in an international direction. Discussions were initiated with Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone to play the parallel lead. However, financial negotiations did not materialize, adding further delays to the film’s development. The complexities of international contracts and agreements also contributed to the prolonged process, making it difficult to finalize a global star for the role.
According to the report, with no ideal replacement for Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan, Atlee, Salman Khan, and Sun Pictures have collectively decided to put the project on hold for now. The team remains committed to collaborating in the future, as they believe that such large-scale cross-industry films require careful planning and the right casting choices to ensure their success.
Meanwhile, Atlee has moved forward with a new project featuring Allu Arjun in the lead. Designed as a mega-budget spectacle, this film aims to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience while the Salman Khan collaboration awaits the right moment to take shape.
Atlee, known for his blockbuster ‘Jawan’, had been in advanced discussions with Salman Khan for a high-budget reincarnation-based period drama. The project was designed on an epic scale, with a budget of approximately Rs 650 crore, excluding the director’s fees and marketing expenses. To ensure maximum reach and commercial viability, the makers were keen on casting a top South Indian superstar alongside Salman Khan, with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan being the top choices.