Tamil filmmaker Cibi Chakravarthi has made a major statement about Atlee‘s upcoming film Raaka, claiming its visuals are unlike anything he has ever seen, including James Cameron‘s Avatar. The remarks were made at the audio launch of Vijay Sethupathi‘s Tamil film Baththa in Chennai. Cibi, a former assistant of Atlee, said the director personally showed him footage from the film and that audiences will witness it in just three days. The glimpse is scheduled for September 21, which is Atlee’s birthday.
Cibi Chakravarthi Compares Raaka Visuals to Avatar
Speaking on stage, Cibi Chakravarthi described the footage he was shown from Raaka as extraordinary. He said Atlee personally shared the visuals with him and that he had never seen anything like them before.
“I have seen the visuals of his films; he showed them to me. Sir, I don’t think even Avatar has visuals like that. Everyone will see what I’m talking about in three days. The visuals were extraordinary,” Cibi said.
The comparison to Avatar carries weight because James Cameron’s film is widely regarded as a benchmark for visual effects and world-building in cinema. Cibi went a step further by placing Atlee alongside SS Rajamouli in terms of taking Indian cinema to a global audience.
“Much like how Rajamouli sir is taking Indian cinema to the next level, I believe Atlee sir will take Indian cinema to the global map. I feel so proud to be your student,” he added.
Lyricist Vivek also spoke at the event and said he had only seen films of a similar scale in Hollywood.
The September 21 Glimpse and What to Expect
The makers of Raaka are set to release a special glimpse on September 21, timed to Atlee‘s birthday. This date was not the original plan. The glimpse was initially intended to arrive on Allu Arjun‘s birthday earlier this year, but the team reportedly was not satisfied with the output and chose to refine the visuals further.
Reports suggest the eventual glimpse could run for close to 3.7 minutes, which is considerably longer than a standard teaser. The promotional campaign for the film has been deliberately cryptic, using mysterious “37” and “Global Triumph” motion posters to build curiosity.
Raaka has been in production throughout 2026, with the team maintaining strict secrecy around the story, characters, and the film’s larger world. Recent cryptic posts have only added to the speculation.
Atlee’s Personal Connection to Raaka
Atlee has described Raaka as a deeply personal project, revealing that he carried the idea for 18 years before bringing it to life.
“Raaka isn’t just a film… it’s a part of me I’ve carried for years. For 18 years, I held on to one idea, never letting it fade. It tested me, shaped me, and stayed with me through everything. And honestly… this is just the beginning,” Atlee said.
The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, the Chennai-based banner that has described the project as its highest ambition for Indian cinema’s international reach.
“Sun Pictures is privileged to bring together the singular storytelling of Atlee and the iconic stature of Allu Arjun in a project built for the world,” the company said in a statement.
A Star-Studded Cast and Reported Details
Allu Arjun leads the cast of Raaka, marking his first collaboration with Atlee. The film is his first project after the Pushpa franchise, which cemented him as one of India’s biggest stars. Pushpa 2: The Rule collected approximately $194 million globally.
Deepika Padukone plays the leading female role, reuniting with Atlee after their work together on Jawan. Reports have linked Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur to important roles in the film. Ramya Krishnan, Jim Sarbh, and Yogi Babu round out the supporting cast. Sai Abhyankar is composing the music.
Reports have suggested Allu Arjun could portray multiple characters, with speculation about parallel-universe elements, though these details remain officially unconfirmed. The film’s promotional materials have hinted at a creature-focused storyline.
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Production Scale and Release Plans
Raaka is being mounted on an enormous scale. Reports describe it as a sci-fi or fantasy action spectacle featuring extensive visual effects, with a reported budget ranging from ₹700 crore to ₹1,000 crore. The makers have not officially confirmed the exact figure. James Madigan has joined the project as VFX supervisor.
There have also been reports that the team is planning to make Raaka into a two-part film series, with both parts filmed together before the end of the year. If accurate, this would follow a strategy similar to other recent Indian franchise productions.
Deepika Padukone has been racing to complete her portions of the film ahead of her expected delivery in September. A source close to the production said she remained focused on wrapping up her shoot and was even working late into the night when required.
The makers previously dismissed rumours that Deepika’s role was being trimmed after her pregnancy announcement. In April 2026, the team confirmed that her role remained unchanged and that she would continue to shoot for the film throughout her pregnancy.
Raaka is slated for a theatrical release in 2027. The September 21 glimpse is expected to offer the first substantial look at the film’s ambitious visual world and will be a key moment in its promotional journey.
Also Read: Raaka Teaser: Allu Arjun and Atlee Drop Cryptic Global Triumph Clue
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on Raaka and the latest happenings in Indian cinema.
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