Writer-filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has carved a niche for himself in the Tamil film industry with action entertainers that not only resonated with the audience but also garnered rave reviews from critics. The Coimbatore-born director, who is currently working on action thriller Leo starring Vijay and Trisha, turns 37 today. On his birthday, we take a look at four of his must-watch films that you can stream on OTT.
Maanagaram (2017)
Trailer:
Lokesh made his feature film debut in 2017 with Tamil-language action thriller Maanagaram. Featuring Sri, Sundeep Kishan, Charlie and Regina Cassandra in the lead roles, the film chronicles the life of four individuals who move to Chennai in search of a better lifestyle. However, they get trapped in the city’s underworld net and come face-to-face with a wanted gangster. They must now work together to defeat him.
Upon its release, Maanagaram received a positive response from the critics who applauded the director’s vision and writing along with the cast performances. Made on a modest budget of Rs 4 crore, the film went on to become a blockbuster hit and grossed close to Rs 100 Crore at the box office.
Available on: Amazon Prime Video/ YouTube
Kaithi (2019)
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In 2019, Lokesh’s action thriller Kaithi, starring Karthi in the lead role, marked the beginning of a series of crime thrillers based on the same universe — the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU).
The film revolves around Dilli (played by Karthi), who has to race against time to drive poisoned cops to a hospital while evading criminals soon after he gets released from jail after 10 years of imprisonment. Now, Dilli has to battle a gang of drug smugglers and save lives of the poisoned policemen before he can reunite with his daughter, who lives in an orphanage.
The action-packed film also features Narain, Arjun Das, Harish Uthaman, George Maryan and Dheena. In Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa, the official Hindi adaptation of Kaithi, he plays the titular character alongside Tabu, Deepak Dobrial, Sanjay Mishra, Gajraj Rao and Amala Paul.
Available on: Disney+Hotstar
Master (2021)
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In 2021, Lokesh collaborated with Thalapathy Vijay for Master, a college action drama that became one of the first Tamil movies to hit the theatres during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Master follows an alcoholic professor John Durairaj a.k.a JD(Vijay), who is popular for his friendly approach towards students. On being appointed as a teacher at a juvenile facility, JD clashes with a gangster named Bhavani (Vijay Sethupathi) who uses the juvenile home inmates as scapegoats for the crimes he commits. Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Arjun Das and Nassar also feature in Master, the music and soundtrack for which has been scored by Anirudh Ravichander.
Available on: Amazon Prime Video/ Zee5/ YouTube
Vikram (2022)
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Kamal Haasan-starrer Vikram, the second film in Lokesh’s LCU, went on to become one of the first blockbusters of the post-Covid era in India.
A spiritual successor of Haasan’s 1986 film of the same name, the film follows a defunct black-ops squad, led by Agent Vikram (played by Kamal), which aims to bring down Chennai’s fast-spreading drug syndicate led by an eccentric criminal named Sandhanam (played by Vijay Sethupathi).
Although set in the same universe, there is very little overlap in terms of the plot with Kaithi. The film also stars Fahadh Faasil, Kalidas Jayaram, Narain, Chemban Vinod Jose and Suriya, who appears in a cameo and is presented as the super-villain of the universe.
Filled with stylised action sequences, well-woven characters and Anirudh Ravichandar’s catchy score, Vikram was also released in Hindi.
Available on: Disney+Hotstar
