PremiumHBD Lokesh Kanagaraj: Here’s to a masterful storyteller, creator of LCU, and a trendsetter in Tamil cinema
Happy Birthday Lokesh Kanagaraj: As the filmmaker is celebrating his birthday today, it's time we revisit how he has changed the landscape of Tamil cinema with his LCU, and action genre
Last Updated: 08.24 AM, Mar 14, 2024
Ever heard of the term LCU? Well, it has now become the ‘it’ word of the Tamil film industry. When the world was celebrating DCU and MCU, a two-film-old filmmaker dropped a bombshell of an announcement hours before his third and his then most ambitious film, Vikram, was about to be released. Lokesh had asked the audience to revisit his second film, Kaithi, before entering the world of Vikram. That set the ball rolling for the young director to create what is now gloriously called Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Despite no formal background in assisting any directors, Lokesh soon was able to weave magic onscreen by being able to pull a star-studded cinematic universe, one which encompasses stalwarts like Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Suriya, Karthi, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, among others.
Also read: Narain speaks about his latest work with Lokesh Kanagaraj; hints at a connection with the LCU
Redefining action
As the director celebrates his birthday today (March 14), it’s time we look back at how his humble journey began with Maanagaram has now made him the father of Tamil cinema’s most expected cinematic universe. While cinematic universes are not new, and directors have often placed easter eggs and characters from their creations in other films as well, Lokesh was not only able to pull off a star-studded universe but also able to redefine the landscape of commercial cinema through his action genre.
Right from his debut in Maanagaram to his latest Leo, Lokesh’s filmography has been a testament to his love for the action genre. Though action is no less than a pivotal part in Tamil film culture, it has often been reduced to stunts and dishoom dishooms. But with Lokesh, whose Kaithi, Vikram and Leo, have been primarily action dramas, the director has cleverly paired up with stunt coordinators AnbAriv to redefine action as not only an element but also a storytelling element in his majorly anti-drug films.
Daring choices and offscreen decisions
Lokesh not only brought a change in his landscape but also made some daring choices often. Yes, his films were testosterone high, hyper masculine, and a world were women barely survived. His films were famously, and sometimes shockingly did not feature any prominent women characters either. Though there was Satya (Trisha) and Elisa (Madonna Sebastian) in Leo, and Agent Tina in Vikram who got their due moments of valour and presence, the director has at times openly admitted his inability to write romance onscreen.
Also read: Loved Leo? 5 must-see movies recommended by Lokesh Kanagaraj you can watch on OTT right now
While the question may arise if romance is the only way to show a woman onscreen, Lokesh has carefully dabbled the point by choosing to avoid it rather than feeling sorry to have written a weak character. But with Lokesh more as a director, it is wise and important to highlight how the filmmaker took the positive step to rope in Chinmayi (who has been facing the wrath of industry for calling out her harassers) to dub for Trisha in Leo. Further, the director had also voiced out and came in support of Trisha when her Leo co-star Mansoor Ali Khan passed misogynistic and rape comments on Trisha.
An exponential growth
A steadfast growth, Lokesh has been proving his non-stoppable rampage at the box office with each passing film of his. He may have started with humble beginnings in Maanagaram, but he proved himself with Karthi’s Kaithi, stamped the deal with Master, directed his icon Kamal Haasan in Vikram, returned to LCU with Leo, and now set to direct Rajinikanth in Thalaivar 171. With many anticipating what the film would be about, and on the other hand fans of LCU expecting their Dilli from Kaithi to be back, Rolex to unleash his villainism, and how Vikram, Parthiban, and Amar will face off the evils to make a drug-free society in his universe, Lokesh is undoubtedly one of the promising filmmakers to have come out from modern day Tamil cinema.