Exciting new South cinema pairings in 2026: Dulquer Salmaan - Pooja Hegde, Deepika Padukone – Allu Arjun and more

South Indian cinema is all set for a great 2026 with several fresh on-screen pairings and these collaborations of the actors promise a mix of action and large-scale storytelling.

2026 promises some exciting pairings as these major stars are coming together for the first time or reuniting after years. Let's take a look at a few of such pairings.

Pooja Hegde and Dulquer Salmaan in DQ41

Pooja Hegde and Dulquer Salmaan are sharing screen space for the first time in the Telugu romantic entertainer DQ41. The film is directed by Ravi Nelakuditi and blends romance with mystery, which centers on a girl with no past.Dulquer’s charm and Pooja’s Hegde's are expected to complement each other well.

The teaser has already sparked curiosity among fans. Dulquer Salmaan also has the most-awaited 'I'M Game' in the pipeline.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda in Ranabaali

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda reunite in Ranabaali which marks one of the most-awaited pairings in recent times. The duo has previously impressed audiences with their chemistry in films such as 'Sita Ramam', and 'Dear Comrade'. During the announcement of the movie, the director wrote on his social media handle, "Yesterday, we released the wedding poster of Ranabaali.

But this wasn’t designed as a “poster.” It was a moment. I’ve always been fascinated by old photographs — our parents, grandparents… the way they stood before a camera. No posing. No rehearsed smiles. No anxiety about how it would look. Just truth. Just presence. Those images feel raw.

Honest. Eternal." He added, "The day Vijay and Rashmika came to set in wedding costume, something shifted. They didn’t look like actors playing dress-up.

They looked like they had travelled through time. It was instinct. I asked for a simple backdrop. No dramatic lighting. No stylised posing. Just stillness. And we captured it. What moved me most was how both of them slipped into the moment, controlled Time and make it happen. Like a memory pulled from their forgotten trunk.

And when it aligns with their real wedding- it feels surreal. Sometimes cinema and life nod at each other.

That timelessness — that nostalgia — is one of the strongest pillars of RANABAALI. Some bonds are eternal. And sometimes, I feel this is their marriage picture from their past lives."

Vijay Deverakonda and Keerthy Suresh in Rowdy Janardhan

Vijay Deverakonda and Keerthy Suresh are teaming up after seven years for a rural action drama which is titled Rowdy Janardhan. The upcoming film is directed by Ravi Kiran Kola and it marks their first full-fledged collaboration as a lead pair.Vijay Deverakonda earlier played a small role in Keerthy Suresh's 'Mahanati' and the audiences loved their chemistry. Their upcoming film is expected to explore raw storytelling and filming began in late 2025.

Deepika Padukone and Allu Arjun in AA22xA6

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone join hands with Allu Arjun in Atlee’s big budget pan-India project AA22xA6 which promises high-octane action. Allu Arjun’s stunning aura combined with Deepika’s screen presence is expected to create a powerful narrative on screen.

Allu Arjun is fresh from the success of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' and Deepika Padukone and Atlee's previous work 'Jawan' was a blockbuster. These factors make 'AA22xA6' one of the most highly awaited project.

Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi with Mani Ratnam

After the failure of 'Thug Life', Mani Ratnam is all set for an interesting pairing in his upcoming untitled project which will have Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles. The announcement was made recently in a joint Instagram post by two top production houses along with VijaySethupathi, and Sai Pallavi. The makers wrote, “Delighted to welcome @sonymusic_south asthe Audio Partner for #MadrasTalkiesProduction23. #Subaskaran presents. A#ManiRatnam Film. An @arrahman Musical. Produced by @lycaproductions@madrastalkies #IndiaTalkies. Starring @actorvijaysethupathi@saipallavi.senthamarai.”The film will have music by the legendary AR Rahman. Excited? Yes who wouldnt be interested to watch Vijay Sethupathi and the charming Sai Pallavi on the big screen, that too under Mani Ratnam's direction?