Lokesh Kanagaraj, in a press meet held on Monday, dismissed rumours that claimed that he had unfollowed Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth and legendary actor Kamal Haasan on social media following his exit from Rajinikanth's much-anticipated Thalaivar 173, backed by Kamal Haasan under his RKFI banner.
The filmmaker met reporters from across Tamil media channels to clear the air around many issues, rumours and the status of his upcoming films. One of them pertained to reports that claimed that he had unfollowed the two icons of Tamil cinema on social media after he had opted out of the film in which they were to work together.
"There were rumours that I had unfollowed Rajini sir and Kamal sir on social media. Just look at where they are. I consider it my good fortune that I got an opportunity to work with them both," he said, explaining the repurcussions he had to face after accidentally liking a video. "For that itself, only I know how many explanations I have had to give. In today's day and age, can someone unfollow others like that? How is it even possible?" he added.
Lokesh further mentioned how his mother probed him on why he unfollowed the two top stars. "She does not know what follow or unfollow mean. But she called me up and asked me why I unfollowed them. That is because they don't even believe me but believe you," he said.
Reiterating that he hasn't unfollowed the two actors, Lokesh requested the media to check with him before publishing any such sensitive news.
Lokesh explained that his collaboration with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan did not materialise as he couldn't write a script to their expectations. "I worked on a script for 1.5 months. But Kamal sir and Rajini sir had different ideas. Both were part of back-to-back action films. Also, Rajini sir's immediate next is Jailer 2, an actioner. Kamal's next with Anbariv will also be high on action. So they were consciously looking to collaborate on a light hearted film. Such films aren't my cup of tea," he revealed. Thalaivar 173 is now being helmed by Don filmmaker Cibi Chakravarthi.
Scorching another rumour, he went on to add that he requested the producer of Kaithi 2 to hold the project again as being a part of Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan collaboration after 46 years doesn't happen often. "This is the reason why Kaithi 2 was delayed and not because I sought a salary hike. When Kaithi 2 got delayed and I wasn't able to land Thalaivar 173, that was when I thought of completing a commitment I had with Mythri Movie Makers years ago. That's how my project with Allu Arjun sir took off," he shared.
Lokesh Kanagaraj is currently working on a film with the top Telugu actor, tentatively titled #AA23 and #LK7, which was announced officially earlier this month. Music for this high-profile pan-Indian project will be composed by Anirudh. On the other hand, the director also has a film for Aamir Khan.
Meanwhile, the films he is producing under his G Squad banner include Raghava Lawrence's Benz, and Mr Bhaarath, which marks the debut of Finally YouTube channel fame Bhaarath and Niranjan. He is also producing 29, Rathna Kumar's upcoming film, starring Retro-fame Vidhu and Preethi Asrani with Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench banner. Lokesh Kanagaraj is also making his acting debut with Arun Matheswaran's DC.