Lokesh Kanagaraj to Unleash Rajinikanth’s Villainous Side in ‘Thalaivar 171’ 

Lokesh Kanagaraj is an accomplished Indian film director and screenwriter, primarily recognized for his work in the Tamil film industry. His journey in the world of cinema began with a short film featured in the 2016 anthology ‘Aviyal.’ Soon, he transitioned to directing his debut feature film ‘Maanagaram’ in 2017. His directorial talent and vision shone, and he gained widespread acclaim with ‘Kaithi’ in 2019, marking the birth of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), a franchise that gained prominence due to the film’s commercial success.
‘Kaithi’ was a pivotal moment in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s career, and his directorial prowess became even more evident with the release of ‘Master’ in 2021, starring Vijay in the lead role. ‘Master’ not only received critical acclaim but also achieved significant commercial success. Following this, Lokesh took on ‘Vikram’ in 2022, marking the second installment of his LCU, with the legendary Kamal Haasan as the lead. ‘Vikram’ emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films, further establishing Lokesh as a director capable of delivering box office hits.
Continuing on his successful journey, Lokesh Kanagaraj directed ‘Leo’ in 2023, another project that achieved commercial success. This venture saw him collaborating with Vijay once again and served as the third installment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe franchise.
Now, Lokesh Kanagaraj is preparing for his upcoming project, ‘Thalaivar 171,’ in collaboration with the iconic Rajinikanth. The pre-production work for the film is set to commence, generating significant anticipation in the world of cinema.
What makes ‘Thalaivar 171’ even more fascinating is Lokesh Kanagaraj’s desire to explore a different dimension of Rajinikanth’s on-screen persona. The director has openly expressed his admiration for Rajinikanth’s style and charisma, with a particular interest in bringing out the superstar’s villainous side. This marks a departure from Rajinikanth’s conventional heroic roles, promising a fresh and exciting change for both the actor and his immense fan base.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s intention to delve into Rajinikanth’s uncharted potential as a villain underscores his innovative approach to filmmaking. It showcases his dedication to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and character development, a hallmark of his directorial career.
As fans eagerly await ‘Thalaivar 171,’ the prospect of witnessing Rajinikanth in a formidable antagonist role adds an extra layer of excitement to the project. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s vision, combined with Rajinikanth’s unmatched charisma, makes this collaboration a must-watch for film enthusiasts, and it is poised to set new standards in Indian cinema.