Lokesh Kanagaraj: I am going to make a peak LCU film next, involving all the actors from the universe

While addressing a master class named Koogai, organised by Neelam Social, filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj gave a lot of interesting details about the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, or LCU. 

Speaking about the Rolex scene at the end of Vikram, Lokesh shared that he included the scene and the character to end the film with a high. "Just like I have plans to make Kaithi 2, Vikram 2, and Leo 2, I also have the idea to make a standalone film for the Rolex character. Now, after this standalone, I will make a peak LCU film involving all the actors from the universe. Like I have said earlier, I have films to direct for the next 10 years of my career."

When a person from the audience asked if he had any plans of making a pure romance or drama without drugs and violence, Lokesh said, "I don't have any such plans at least for the next 5 years. As I have started the LCU, it is my duty to give it an apt conclusion, which will at least take 5 years."

Speaking about the logistical difficulties of making a cinematic universe, the Kaithi director explained, "The films I have made under the LCU are from different production houses. My production house is also set to be joined into the LCU. In order to use one of my characters in another film, I have to get a no-objection certificate from five production houses. The NOCs only become more if there are different music composers and music labels involved." He further said that this is why he won't be able to take another filmmaker's character and bring it into his universe, because the complications are limitless. 

Speaking about his long-impending dream project, Irumbu Kai Mayavi, Lokesh said that it would take him at least 2 years to make and that it would be a film without bloodshed and guns. Also, while speaking about Leo and his wish for Vijay to continue acting, he said that if Leo 2 was ever made, it would be titled Parthiban. "We wished to name Leo itself as Parthiban, but there wasn't enough punch in it." 

Lokesh Kanagaraj, who last directed Vijay's Leo, is currently working on Rajinikanth's Coolie, which is backed by Sun Pictures.  Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Upendra also star in prominent roles in the film. The film's technical crew comprises cinematographer Girish Gangadharan, editor Philomin, and music composer Anirudh Ravichander. Coolie is scheduled to release worldwide in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats.