What comprises Lokesh Cinematic Universe? Know future of franchise

Lokesh Kanagaraj has proved that he is one of most promising directors to look out for. filmmaker started his career as a writer-director with 2016 anthology film Aviyal, and followed it up with full-length feature Maanagaram (2017). After that, Kanagaraj started developing his own franchise, which came to be called Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). As he gears up for release of his upcoming film Leo, which is said to be third installment in LCU, here’s all you need to know about one of Tamil cinema’s most promising ventures.

3 things you need to know

• LCU kick-started in 2019 with Kaithi.
• Actors Karthi, Kamal Haasan, Arjun Das and Suriya are part of LCU.
• LCU is also become a commercially successful venture, with Kaithi also being reme in Bollywood.

Kaithi kickstarts LCU

Kaithi (2019) kicked off LCU. Written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, film is based on an ex-con who, after getting released from jail, gets caught up between police officers and a drug cartel. While film is about Kaithi (Karthi) wanting to meet his estranged daughter, larger details of plot are left open-ended. 

Kamal Haasan makes his comeback

Kanagaraj worked with Dream Warrior Pictures and Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International to develop first film. For second LCU title, Vikram, 37-year-old recruited Dasavataram star to play le role. Seemingly a spiritual successor to 1986 film also titled Vikram, which featured Kamal Haasan, 2022 film depicted a man named Karnan who is seemingly kidnapped and killed by a group of faceless mercenaries. 

However, as a detective (Fahh Faasil) starts piecing everything toger, he finds out that Karnan isn't de, but is actually Vikram, a former secret service agent who is trying to bring down a drug cartel. film also features Vijay Sethupathi as antagonist, who is killed at end of film. Vikram emerged as one of highest-grossing Tamil films of 2022, minting Rs 420+ crore globally. 

What is future of LCU?

Said to be third film in LCU, Leo will feature Thalapathy Vijay in titular role. trailer was released on October 5 and showcased Vijay in a salt-and-pepper look, going against enemies. Leo releases on October 19.

Moreover, re are plans for sequels to Vikram and Kaithi. In a recent interview with Variety, Karthi spoke about status of Kaithi 2, saying that script is in works. Moreover, Vikram introduced Suriya as big, b villain Rolex, much in same way as Thanos was revealed in Marvel Cinematic Universe. Suriya later shared that after a meeting with Lokesh Kanagaraj went down, a standalone film on his character will also be developed for franchise. 

Lokesh Kanagaraj has hinted that he would retire from direction after doing 10 films. LCU is still at its nascent stage. With almost three titles in and several in making, LCU is one of most exciting franchises in Indian cinema. With actors such as Trisha Krishnan, Kamal Haasan, Karthi, Suriya, Fahh Faasil, Thalapathy Vijay, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Das within same franchise, Kanagaraj is expected to pump out several blockbusters.