After years of uncertainty, the much-talked-about project ICON, which was originally planned with Allu Arjun in the lead, is back in the news. Though Allu Arjun stepped away from the project long ago, the title ICON continues to spark interest—especially since the actor adopted the nickname “Icon Star” from this very film.
Directed by Venu Sriram and produced by Dil Raju, ICON was initially conceptualized as a journey-driven story, loosely inspired by Motorcycle Diaries. However, following Allu Arjun’s massive transformation into a pan-India star post-Pushpa, the makers now feel the film’s scale no longer suits his image.
While Allu Arjun didn’t explicitly reject the film, insiders reveal that he quietly stepped away as the project didn’t align with his current stature. Producer Dil Raju even admitted that ICON now feels “too small” for Bunny’s brand after his recent national-level success.
Despite this, Venu Sriram remains confident in the script and wants to move forward with a new lead actor. The team is actively looking for someone who can fit the character and bring fresh energy to the project. Names like Ram Pothineni, Siddu Jonnalagadda, and even younger rising actors are being discussed as possible leads—artists who may be willing to take a creative risk without being overshadowed by comparisons.
At present, Dil Raju is busy with the release of Thammudu, also directed by Venu Sriram. Once that wraps, attention may shift back to reviving ICON.
The film’s fate now rests on whether the team can find the right actor who believes in the story’s strength and is ready to carry it forward—not with star image, but with solid content and emotional appeal. If all pieces fall into place, ICON might finally go on floors and connect with audiences in a new way.
