Template:Hlist
2015Template:Endashpresent
Lokesh Cinematic Universe (2019 - present)
Lokesh Kanagaraj (Template:IPAc-en) is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Tamil films. He started his career with a short film in the 2016 anthology Aviyal. He later directed his first feature film Maanagaram (2017). He also created the Lokesh Cinematic Universe franchise with his films Kaithi (2019) and Vikram (2022). His upcoming film, Leo (2023)[2] marks his second collaboration with Vijay after Master (2021).[3]
Early life
Lokesh Kanagaraj was born in Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India.[4] In PSG College of Arts and Science, he majored in Fashion Technology before pursuing an MBA.[5] He did his schooling in Palanayiammal Matric Hr. Sec. School Kalliyapuram, Pollachi.[6] He is an ex-bank employee. He pursued his passion towards film making by participating in a corporate short film competition. The judge of the competition was Karthik Subbaraj. Impressed with his short film, he encouraged Lokesh to pursue a directorial career making films.[7]
Career
In 2016, his short film, Kalam, was included in the anthology film, Aviyal, produced by Karthik Subbaraj.[8] In 2017, he made his directorial feature debut with the hyperlink film, Maanagaram.[9] In late 2018, he began working on a film for Dream Warrior Pictures, the same production company behind Maanagaram.[10] With Karthi in the lead role, the action-thriller was titled Kaithi.[11]
His next after Kaithi was the action-drama film, Master, starring Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi.[12] It was released on 13 January 2021, a day before the Pongal festival. It opened to mostly positive reviews and emerged as a commercial success. Master was the highest grossing Indian film of 2021.[13][14]
He then directed Vikram (2022), starring Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil. Following the huge success of the film, he is actively creating the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, on the basis of carrying the story forward from Kaithi and Vikram. His next directorial after Vikram will be Vijay's 67th film, Leo and it will be the continuation of the Universe.Template:Citation needed Leo will also have an English dubbed theatrical release first time for both Lokesh and Vijay as confirmed by the production team.
In 2023, Lokesh announced his plans to quit directing after completing at least 10 films.[15]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Aviyal | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | Anthology film; Segment: Kalam | |
| 2017 | Maanagaram | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2018 | Vella Raja | Template:No | Template:Yes | Amazon Prime Web Series | |
| 2019 | Kaithi | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2021 | Master | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | Cameo appearance as a prisoner. | |
| 2022 | Vikram | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2023 | Michael | Template:No | Template:No | Presenter for the Tamil version | [16][17] |
| Template:Pending film | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | Post-Production |
Accolades
| Ceremony | Award Name | Movie | Status |
| 10th Vijay Awards | Best Debut Director | Maanagaram | Template:Won |
| Zee Cine Awards Tamil | Favourite Director | Kaithi | Template:Won |
| Behindwoods Gold Medals | Best Story & Screenplay | Kaithi | Template:Won |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Director | Master | Template:Won |
| Behindwoods Gold Medals 2022 | Talent of the Decade - Tamil | Master | Template:Won |
| The Galatta Crown 2022 | Favourite Director (2020 - 2021) | Master | Template:Won |
| Behindwoods Gold Icons | The Blockbuster Directer of the Year | Vikram | Template:Won |
| Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2022 | Best Entertainer | Vikram | Template:Won |
References
- ↑ Template:Cite AV media
- ↑ Vijay and Lokesh Kanagaraj's film Thalapathy 67 officially announced. The News Minute(2023-01-31). Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ↑ MASTER. Australian Classification Board.
- ↑ Template:Cite interview
- ↑ A celebration of cinema and filmmaking. The Times of India(19 March 2019).
- ↑ Template:Cite AV media
- ↑ Template:Cite AV media
- ↑ The lives of others. The Hindu(9 March 2017). Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ↑ Maanagaram- Opens big on March 10. Sify.
- ↑ No heroine in Karthi's next with Lokesh Kanagaraj(15 December 2018). Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ↑ Kaithi will showcase Karthi's potential as a versatile actor: Lokesh Kanagaraj. The Times of India(11 March 2019). Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ↑ Team Thalapathy 64 arrives in Delhi; second schedule begins. The Indian Express(1 November 2019). Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ↑ 2021 Top grossers in Tamil Nadu – Thalapathy Vijay's Master tops. Pinkvilla(6 January 2022). Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ↑ Year Ender 2021: Master to Annaatthe, Highest-grossing Tamil Movies of 2021. News18(29 December 2021). Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ↑ Leo director Lokesh Kanagaraj says he has no plans to stay in film industry for long: ‘I will do 10 movies and quit’. The Indian Express(2023-06-20). Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ↑ Sundeep Kishan, Vijay Sethupathi's film Michael gets a release date in February; Check out new poster. Pinkvilla(2023-01-03). Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ↑ Interview: Sundeep Kishan says the gangster drama movie 'Michael' has changed him as an actor and a person. The Hindu(2023-01-23). Retrieved 2023-01-23.