The recently-concluded Tamil Nadu assembly elections saw many Kollywood actors including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Sivakarthikeyan, Suriya, Jyotika, Jiiva and Sasikumar, making a beeline to their nearby polling booths to fulfil their democratic duty. However, director Lokesh Kanagaraj gave the event a miss, drawing attention and debates online.

Revealing the real reason behind his absence, fellow filmmaker RJ Balaji said that he was unable to catch the flight to head to Coimbatore to vote. Speaking at the pre-release event of Rathna Kumar's upcoming movie 29, the Mookuthi Amman director said, "I finished voting in Chennai and was leaving to Mumbai for my cricket commentary work. During the same time, Lokesh Kanagaraj was leaving to Coimbatore from Chennai to vote. We met, hugged and exchanged pleasantries. But in the meantime, his gate closed and he couldn't catch his flight," he explained.

Rathna Kumar's 29, all set for release on May 8, stars Vidhu and Preethi Asrani in lead roles. The film is a romantic drama set in a period dating culture, and apps were not in vogue. The director is a close associate of Lokesh Kanagaraj and has written dialogues in films such as Master and Vikram. 29 marks a comeback to direction for Rathna Kumar after 2022's Gulu Gulu. 

RJ Balaji is currently awaiting the release of Suriya's Karuppu, which hits theatres on May 14. Trisha plays the female lead in the action entertainer which also stars Yogi Babu, acclaimed Malayalam actor Indrans, Sshivada, Lubber Pandhu fame Swasika, and Natty, among others.

Lokesh Kanagaraj, who recently wrapped shooting for his acting debut DC, helmed by Arun Matheswaran. On the directorial front, he is working on Allu Arjun's AA23.