Filmmaker Atlee is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of Baby John, an action-packed film starring Varun Dhawan. The film is set to release on December 25, during the Christmas holiday season, but it will face stiff competition from Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule, which continues to dominate the box office with a record-breaking global run.
Pushpa 2: The Rule, released on December 5, has already amassed over Rs 1400 crore worldwide, cementing its status as a massive blockbuster. However, Atlee remains optimistic about Baby John’s prospects and clarified that the two films won’t be clashing directly.
At a recent press meet in Mumbai, Atlee dismissed the notion of competition with Pushpa 2. He said, “It’s an ecosystem. Me and Allu Arjun sir are very good friends. We’re releasing Baby John in the fourth week of December, not head-to-head. So don’t call it a clash. There’s no conflict here. We’re aware that Pushpa 2 shifted from August to December, and we’ve planned our release around Christmas. We’re all professionals, and we know how to handle this.”
Atlee also revealed a heartwarming gesture from Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun, who recently congratulated him on Baby John. “He congratulated me about the film and spoke to Varun. There’s great friendship and love in this ecosystem,” Atlee shared.
The filmmaker, who previously collaborated with Shah Rukh Khan in the blockbuster Jawan, is now excited about working with Varun Dhawan. Expressing his passion for working with Indian superstars, Atlee said, “I want to work with every superstar in India. Big projects don’t pressure me because I love what I do.”
Baby John is produced under Atlee and his wife Priya’s banner, A For Apple Studios, along with Murad Khetani’s Cine1 Studio and Jyoti Deshpande’s Jio Studios. Directed by Kalees, the film features an ensemble cast, including Varun Dhawan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Keerthy Suresh, with Salman Khan making a cameo appearance.
