Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals shelved plan to unite Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan on screen
Speaking to Gobinath in a recent interview, the Vikram director shared that the plan was for Rajinikanth to star and Kamal Haasan to produce the film. However, the pandemic disrupted the project before it could take off.
Reflecting on the idea, Lokesh said he does not intend to push for it anymore. 'While I may be in a position where I can initiate such a project, I don't want to. I already tried once, and it didn't materialise. This is something that should happen naturally if the two legends decide to talk to each other for just 30 minutes,' he said.
He added that the two actors, who have shared a deep friendship for decades, remain in regular contact and are present for each other during significant moments. 'I am nobody to initiate this. But if they decide to collaborate and call me, I will drop everything and go. The decision must come from them,' he said.
Lokesh also acknowledged the challenges such a project would pose. 'If Rajini sir and Kamal sir agree to work together, the cast and crew would come with salaries of great magnitude. Figuring out a story that fits both their iconic images would be a Himalayan task. I am ready for it, but it has to come from them,' he concluded.
Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has established himself to be a die-hard fan of Kamal Haasan, directed Vikram with the actor in 2022. While Vikram is a part of the filmmaker's LCU, or Lokesh Cinematic Universe, Coolie will not be, eliminating any chance of future onscreen collaboration between Kamal Haasan's Vikram and Rajinikanth's Deva.
Apart from Rajinikanth, Coolie also stars Upendra, Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, and Soubin Shahir. The film also marks a special cameo by Aamir Khan, alongside actors Reba Monica John and Junior MGR in pivotal roles. Produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner, the film is slated to hit theatres on August 14.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Who Is Vikram Chatwal, Priya Sachdev's First Husband Before She Married The Late Sunjay Kapur?
In 2006, Vikram married actress and investment banker Priya Sachdev in a high-profile wedding. The couple welcomed a daughter, Safira, the same year. As Sunjay Kapur's sudden demise ignites a Rs 30,000 crore inheritance battle, one name that keeps resurfacing is Vikram Chatwal, the ex-husband of Sunjay's third wife, Priya Sachdev. While the family tussle over Kapur's vast business empire has captivated headlines, Chatwal's past relationship with Priya and his own controversial life make him an intriguing figure. Here's everything to know about the flamboyant businessman once called the 'playboy hotelier." Early Life and Education Born on November 1, 1971, in Ethiopia, Vikram Chatwal is the son of Indian-American hotel magnate Sant Singh Chatwal. He grew up in New York and graduated from the prestigious Wharton School of Business in 1993. He began his career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley but soon ventured into more glamorous industries including modelling, acting, and eventually hospitality. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vikram Chatwal (@vikramdoc) Modelling, Acting and Hollywood Cameos Vikram briefly worked as a model and became the first Sikh man to be featured in Vogue magazine. His dapper looks also landed him minor roles in films like Zoolander and Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. Though he didn't pursue acting full-time, he remained a staple in social circles across New York, London and Mumbai. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vikram Chatwal (@vikramdoc) Marriage to Priya Sachdev and Divorce In 2006, Vikram married actress and investment banker Priya Sachdev in a high-profile wedding. The couple welcomed a daughter, Safira, the same year. However, Vikram's substance abuse issues and wild lifestyle led to two stints in rehab. By 2011, Priya divorced him. She later married Sunjay Kapur in 2017. Sunjay adopted Safira, and she now goes by the surname Kapur. Scandals and Legal Troubles Vikram Chatwal's lifestyle caught up with him. In 2013, he was arrested at Fort Lauderdale airport for drug possession. A year later, his father Sant Chatwal pleaded guilty to illegal campaign contributions. In 2016, Vikram faced public outrage after being charged with setting two dogs on fire. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to community service. Hotel Empire and Comeback Despite his turbulent past, Vikram has managed a remarkable comeback in hospitality. He founded Vikram Chatwal Hotels and owns several luxury properties, including the iconic Dream New York hotel, which underwent a Rs 166 crore ($20 million) renovation in 2015. His brand has since expanded to Miami, Bangkok and India, known for stylish décor and celebrity clientele. Ties To The Kapur Succession Battle In the current Kapur family dispute, Vikram's name has resurfaced due to the legal status of his daughter Safira. If Sunjay Kapur legally adopted her, she loses any right to inherit from Vikram's estate. Meanwhile, Priya Sachdev and Safira have both dropped 'Chatwal" from their names. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Pink Villa
What is Dhanush's net worth? Know Raanjhanaa actor's assets, salary and cars owned in 2025
Dhanush is making headlines recently after it was reported that the actor is currently dating Mrunal Thakur. While the actors are yet to make it official, how well do you know about the actor's assets and the money he makes with each movie? What is Dhanush's net worth? According to a report by The Financial Express, Dhanush has a net worth of Rs 230 crore, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the South Indian film industry. Interestingly, the actor's net worth is not just formed with his impressive remuneration but also with previous advertisement collaborations with companies like OLX and 7Up. Dhanush's lavish home in Chennai For those unaware, Dhanush owns a massive home in Chennai's posh Poes Garden where several celebrities reside, including his former father-in-law, Rajinikanth. As per a report by Hindustan Times, the Raayan star's home is estimated to have a value of Rs 150 crore. Dhanush's astounding remuneration and personal vehicles Dhanush is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. With his experience in cinema being more than 20 years, he is reported by India TV to charge a remuneration between Rs 20 to Rs 35 crore for each film, and receives a monthly salary of Rs 3 crore. On a side note, the actor is reportedly said to have charged Rs 4 crore as his remuneration for appearing in Russo Brothers' The Gray Man. The film starring Ryan Gosling, Ana De Armas, and Chris Evans in leading roles had the Raanjhanaa actor making a small appearance. Moving ahead, Dhanush is mostly known for his simplistic lifestyle and often embodies it with his outfits. However, the actor has a soft spot for luxurious vehicles and is reported to own cars like a Jaguar, an Audi, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and even a Bentley. Dhanush's personal life Dhanush, whose real name is Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, was born on July 28, 1983. The 42-year-old actor is the son of former director-producer Kasthuri Raja and his wife Vijayalakshmi. His elder brother, Selvaraghavan, is a popular director-turned-actor known for films like Pudhupettai, 7G Rainbow Colony, and many more. Apart from him, Dhanush also has 2 sisters. The Captain Miller actor was previously married to Rajinikanth's elder daughter, Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth. After a 20-year-long marriage, the couple divorced on November 27, 2024. The former couple share two children, namely Yathra and Linga. Over the years, the actor has not limited himself to acting roles but has also served as lyricist, singer, producer, and, most recently, director. Disclaimer: All amounts mentioned in the article are sourced from public platforms. In some cases, celebrities or their teams give their inputs too, which we incorporate if provided by them. We take all efforts to share possible accurate numbers, however unless otherwise mentioned they are all approximates. We are open to feedback and suggestions on editorial@
Pink Villa
5 hours ago
- Pink Villa
What is 65-year-old Nagarjuna's secret to having a fit physique and good looks? 74-year-old Rajinikanth comments
Megastar Rajinikanth's stardom has been unmatched. The star, who has been a part of innumerable projects over several decades, is set to win hearts yet again in Coolie. This film stars another superstar, Nagarjuna. Ahead of the movie's much-anticipated release, a video is out where 74-year-old Rajinikanth praises his Coolie co-star, mentioning how 65-year-old Nagarjuna looks. The megastar even joked about his hair loss and shared how he had asked Nagarjuna to reveal his health secrets. Secrets of Nagarjuna's fit physique revealed In the video, Rajinikanth stated how Nagarjuna's character, Simon, who is an antagonist in Coolie, is one of the biggest attractions of the film. He continued, "When I heard the role of Simon, I was interested to see who would play it. When Lokesh told me that Nagarjuna agreed after six sittings, I was shocked. He's not an actor to play the role just for money; he doesn't need it. He has always played the protagonist." Watch Rajinikanth's video here- The Coolie star recalled working with Nagarjuna 33-34 years ago in Shanti Kranthi in 1991 and mentioned he still manages to look younger. Rajinikanth continued, "He looked younger than he did back then. I've lost all my hair, and yet he's maintaining his skin and physique. I asked him how he did it, and he said, nothing but exercise and diet." Upon being asked, Nagarjuna shared the secrets of his fit physique and mentioned how he completes eating dinner at 6:30-7 PM. The veteran actor credited his father Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who had told him not to take anything to heart in order to live a fulfilling life. Reminiscing about their time while shooting together, Rajinikanth shared, "I won't forget the conversations we had while shooting for 17 days in Thailand. He's not just handsome, he's a gentleman. I've played a villain many times in my career, but even I wonder if I could play Simon like him; he's fantastic." Apart from them, Coolie also stars Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Aamir Khan. The movie is slated to release in theatres on August 14. It is set to clash with War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
