Coolie director Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals why his Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan film was shelved; comments on chances of revival: ‘It's about two ageing gangsters'

Indian Express

13-05-2025

With an enviable track record and 100 per cent success rate so far, Lokesh Kanagaraj ranks among the most promising and bankable directors in Tamil cinema. Following the phenomenal success of the 'Thalapathy' Vijay-starrer Leo (2023), Lokesh is set to make a grand comeback, this time with an even bigger ambitious project, headlined by 'Superstar' Rajinikanth. Titled Coolie, the movie is currently in its post-production phase and will be released hit the screens on August 14. One of the very few young filmmakers fortunate enough to have worked with both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan (in Vikram), Lokesh had, in fact, once contemplated a project featuring both Tamil cinema legends together. Despite coming close to being greenlit, the project was ultimately put on hold due to multiple reasons.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj himself recently opened up about the highly ambitious movie, which would have featured the two Tamil icons as ageing gangsters. Originally envisioned to go on floors after Kaithi (2019), the filmmaker has said that it would be difficult to revive the project now. 'I tried sincerely, but it didn't happen. It was dropped because of COVID-19. We were about to sign (the contract). They, in fact, spoke to each other in front of me. After I narrated the story to them, both Rajini sir and Kamal sir spoke to each other in front of me on the loudspeaker,' he said during a chat with Sudhir Srinivasan on his YouTube channel.
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He further mentioned that the project was supposed to be bankrolled by Kamal Haasan himself. 'It seems they (Rajini and Kamal) had made a commitment to each other early on, agreeing to collaborate in this particular year. One of them had said, 'I will work in your company's production venture.' Apparently, this discussion happened quite a while ago. Then, later, they came across me and I shared this idea with them,' he mentioned.
Although Lokesh is not sure if he would be able to restart the movie now, the director, nonetheless, emphasised that the decision of the two Tamil stars would be final in the matter. 'The (story) idea won't change. It's about two ageing gangsters and their lives. However, the current market size is entirely different now. At that time, neither Jailer (2023) nor Vikram (2022) had happened. We discussed this project back then. With the release of these two movies, their businesses have expanded significantly. To do a movie balancing that… The scale of the film may not… Just think about it: first, their salaries have to be paid, then mine; and if we were to go for a shoot after that, the process would be too big. It's great if the movie happens; let's see. It's up to both of them. They should take the call. But practically, it's a bit difficult now.'
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While K Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal (1975), which marked Rajinikanth's feature film debut, was the first movie in which he and Kamal appeared together, they collaborated on a handful of films afterwards, including Moondru Mudichu, Avargal, 16 Vayathinile, Aadu Puli Attam, Aval Appadithan and Ninaithale Inikkum. They were last seen together in the Hindi movie Geraftaar.