Director Lokesh Kanagaraj rarely engages with post-release debates, preferring to let his films do the talking. But now, the architect of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe chose to address the media and speak candidly about the mixed reactions to his Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie.
The director acknowledged that the film did not land with everyone and admitted that some of the criticism was valid. “Whenever there is criticism for a film from the audience, it is important to accept it. At the same time, beyond all the criticism, many saw the film for Rajinikanth sir. I must also express my gratitude to them,” filmmaker said.
Lokesh added that he had been hearing negative feedback from multiple quarters and that he intends to actively work on correcting his mistakes in his next outing. According to him, he could not address the criticism immediately after the film’s release because he was occupied with the shoot of his upcoming project. The intense production schedule, he said, left him with little space to engage in public conversations at the time.
On box-office talk and owning up to flaws
One of the more eyebrow-raising moments from the interaction came when Lokesh revealed that his producer had told him Coolie had earned around 500 crore. While he did not go into the finer details of the numbers, the statement has already sparked discussion among trade watchers.
For a director whose films are usually celebrated for tight screenplays and relentless pacing, the acknowledgement of flaws felt refreshingly honest. Lokesh is known to be self-critical, and his words hinted at a creative reset of sorts. Rather than deflecting or blaming circumstances, he seemed intent on absorbing the feedback and evolving.
That approach has often been a hallmark of his career. From Maanagaram to Kaithi and Vikram, Lokesh has shown a steady willingness to rework his grammar with every film. With Coolie, the expectations were particularly steep given the presence of Rajinikanth, a star whose fanbase cuts across generations and geographies. The director’s admission that many viewers watched the film purely for the superstar is also a nod to the responsibility that comes with handling such a cultural icon.
A superhero film, acting debut and LCU expansion
Even as he navigates the aftermath of Coolie, Lokesh’s professional calendar is anything but empty. He is next set to direct Aamir Khan in a superhero film, a collaboration that has already set tongues wagging in both the Tamil and Hindi film industries. While details about the project remain tightly guarded, the combination of Lokesh’s gritty storytelling sensibility and Aamir’s commitment to scale suggests a genre-defining attempt.
In a surprising career turn, Lokesh is also stepping in front of the camera as a leading man. He will play the protagonist in an upcoming action film directed by Arun Matheswaran, who is best known for the recent Captain Miller. This marks Lokesh’s first full-fledged acting role after brief cameo appearances in films such as Master and Singapore Saloon. For a filmmaker who has spent over a decade shaping narratives from behind the scenes, the move to lead actor territory is both bold and intriguing.
Adding to his growing footprint in the industry, Lokesh is also producing Benz, starring Raghava Lawrence and Nivin Pauly and directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan. The film is confirmed to be part of the ever-expanding Lokesh Cinematic Universe, a franchise model that has redefined shared storytelling in Tamil cinema over the last few years.
From box-office debates to superhero dreams and an acting debut, Lokesh Kanagaraj finds himself at a fascinating crossroads. His decision to openly accept criticism for Coolie suggests a filmmaker unwilling to rest on past glory. If anything, it feels like the prelude to a new chapter, one that might just be his most unpredictable yet.
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