Showing posts with label Lokesh Kanagaraj. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lokesh Kanagaraj. Show all posts
Allu Arjun rents sea-facing 5 BHK in Juhu for Rs 16 lakh monthly on a three-year lease
4:45 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 22, 2026)
Is Allu Arjun moving to Mumbai? Is he staying put in Hyderabad? That’s all the industry has been talking about over the past few days. On April 21, we reported that the South star has decided to divide his time between Hyderabad and Mumbai, making the latter his work base for the next few years (Mumbai meri jaan, Arjun? April 21). And that plan’s already put into action. mid-day did a bit of digging around and found out that the superstar has rented a swanky five-bedroom apartment at Juhu Tara Road.
Want to know the price tag it comes with? From what we’ve heard, Arjun is shelling out a cool R16 lakh per month, as part of his three-year lease.
Apparently, the actor had a clear caveat when looking for an address in Mumbai — it had to be sea-facing. The upscale building, at Juhu Tara Road junction, ticked that box and more. A source revealed, “Allu Arjun wanted a beach-facing property for his wife Sneha and two children, Allu Ayaan and Allu Arha. The kids will live with him during their school vacations. Spread over 6000 square feet, the apartment in the high-rise comes with a plunge pool and four car parking spaces.”
Over the past year, the actor and his wife visited the property multiple times, overseeing the interior design. The source added, “He wants his home to be a space of tranquility — think lots of greenery and the calming sound of the sea. It should be conducive for his prep, as he will shoot major portions of his next few films, including Raaka and a project with Lokesh Kanagaraj, in Mumbai.”
Samyuktha reveals characters from Lokesh Cinematic Universe will be seen in Benz
10:02 AM
With Benz marking the fourth instalment in Lokesh Cinematic Universe, actor Samyuktha reveals characters from Kaithi, Vikram, and Le’ will appear in key roles
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 26, 2026)
Being part of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Cinematic Universe (LCU) is a big deal for any actor. But when Samyuktha was offered Benz, the fourth instalment in LCU, she reacted to the film not as an actor, but as a fan. “I thought that if I took the narration, I would be the first person to know what happens next,” she laughed.
The actor is currently shooting the Tamil action drama that stars Raghava Lawrence and Nivin Pauly. An LCU offering is known as much for its star presence as for its action, and Benz is no different. If anything, it may only up the ante in terms of the star presence.
Samyuktha teased that popular characters from LCU’s previous films — Karthi’s Kaithi (2019), Kamal Haasan’s Vikram (2022), and Vijay’s Leo (2023) — will make appearances in Benz.
She shared, “The makers developed [new] characters around the other popular characters of previous films. You will get excited about [how they are all] connected. The makers have brought the popular characters from the previous films here, and not as cameos. I don’t want to name names and say what exactly is happening. Similarly, the characters introduced in Benz will be seen in the next parts.”
The actor also described Benz as a story that the audience won’t be “expecting”. “It’s a rooted and stylish universe. It’s our very own Avengers, and fans are seeing all their favourite actors in one place.”
Coolie becomes most-anticipated film, Lokesh Kanagaraj credits it to Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj reunion
8:34 AM
As Coolie tops IMDb’s list of the year’s most awaited films, director Lokesh Kanagaraj attributes it to Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj’s reunion
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 9, 2025)
We’re halfway into 2025, and the past six months have given us varied films — some memorable, others lacklustre. As we enter the year’s second half, IMDb’s mid-year data has revealed Rajinikanth’s Coolie as the most anticipated film among the Indian audience. The lists, set to be released officially on July 10, are based on the page views of over 250 million monthly visitors to the site.
The anticipation around Coolie is natural — it brings together superstars Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, and Aamir Khan under the direction of Lokesh Kanagaraj. The director believes there is another reason why the actioner is awaited.
“The reunion of legends Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj after 38 years has created magic on screen. This recognition reflects the excitement our fans have shown worldwide,” he said. In the list of anticipated films, Coolie is followed by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2, and Prabhas’s The Raja Saab.
The data also reveals that Chhaava, led by Vicky Kaushal, has been the most popular film of 2025 so far, as determined by votes. Laxman Utekar, who directed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s biopic, is elated to have his film at the top spot. “What makes this recognition special is that it comes directly from the fans,” he shared. Tamil dramedy Dragon, Shahid Kapoor’s Deva, Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2, and Suriya’s gangster drama Retro round off the top five.
Aamir Khan to star with Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna in Coolie
8:16 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 17, 2025)
Actor Rajinikanth’s next, action thriller Coolie, is already creating buzz, as it will bring together some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. Apart from Rajinikanth, the film also features Tamil superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni and Kannada star Upendra Rao. And now, it has been revealed that Aamir Khan too will have a cameo in the Lokesh Kanagaraj film.
Upendra confirmed the news during an event. In a video circulating on X, he said, “I did not ask Lokesh (Kanagaraj) garu anything, but when he told me the story, I said it was enough even if I it means just standing next to him (Rajinikanth) for a few minutes. If I’m Ekalavya, he’s my Dronacharya. If he gave everyone entertainment, he gave me enlightenment.”
When asked if he shot with Nagarjuna and Aamir also, he said, “Yeah yeah, we have combination scenes together. (sic)”
The way the younger generation is scripting stories, masala films will only get bigger and better-Sanjay Dutt
8:21 AM
Sanjay, who plays key role in Kanagaraj’s ambitious film Leo, says technology is influencing the evolution of potboiler films
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 28, 2023)
Sanjay Dutt knows the world of commercial potboilers inside out, having fronted them for over four decades. So when he says that he has noticed a shift in the genre, you sit up and listen. The senior actor, who recently shot for director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s multi-lingual offering Leo, states that new-age filmmakers are revamping mainstream cinema.
“I am excited by the stories being made today. The way the younger generation is scripting stories, masala films will only get bigger and better. Lokesh Kanagaraj is a dynamic filmmaker who has his finger on the pulse of the audience. Personally, he is like a son to me,” shares Dutt.
Filmmakers’ sensibilities alone are not driving the change. Technological advancement is enabling directors to turn their larger-than-life vision into reality. Dutt cites the example of his Kannada blockbuster KGF - Chapter 2 (2022) to highlight how VFX enhances films. Leo, which sees him alongside Tamil star Thalapathy Vijay, too is said to be mounted on a grand canvas, with action set-pieces and special effects.
Dutt says, “The advancements in technology have given filmmakers the tools to create awe-inspiring visual effects, larger-than-life sets, and captivating action sequences. These technical marvels, combined with the fresh narratives, promise to make masala films even more spectacular.”
Anees Bazmee and I will work together at some point; it’s only a matter of when-Varun Dhawan
8:28 AM
Having realized his wish of collaborating with Nitesh on Bawaal, Varun eager to work with south filmmakers Lokesh and Atlee
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 23, 2022)
If 2022 has been a year of introspection for Varun Dhawan, he is approaching the coming year with only one thing in mind: action. The actor will open the year with Bawaal, which gave him the opportunity to collaborate with Nitesh Tiwari — a director who had long been on his wish-list. Working with the filmmaker was everything he had hoped for.
“I am excited about Bawaal. Ajju bhaiyya is a character I loved playing. The film will be a fun ride,” he says of the love story that also features Janhvi Kapoor.
Besides Bawaal, the actor has the Indian version of Citadel, helmed by Raj-DK, in the pipeline. Rumours also suggest that he will team up with director Anees Bazmee for an action comedy. “Anees sir and I will work together at some point; it’s only a matter of when. But right now, there’s nothing [on the cards]. He is making another film.”
While Bazmee is certainly on his wish-list, some more directors have piqued his interest with their distinct voices. “There are so many directors I want to work with — from Lokesh Kanagaraj, to Atlee. I would also love to reunite with Shashank Khaitan and Amar Kaushik.”
Chances of Dhawan reuniting with Bhediya director Kaushik are high. Fans are speculating that the actor will be seen in a cameo in the director’s next, Stree 2, after Stree’s leading man Rajkummar Rao made an appearance in Dhawan’s monster comedy.
“Dinesh Vijan [producer] and Amar are keen to revisit the Bhediya character. You saw Stree’s characters [make an appearance] in Bhediya, and now, [it will be vice versa].”
Lokesh Kanagaraj and Atlee
I will take my family to the theatre to watch Master-Lokesh Kanagaraj
8:29 AM
As Master is slated to open amid 50 per cent occupancy order, director on how cinemas can be a safe environment if everyone follows protocol
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 11, 2021)
It's not uncommon for South star Vijay's films to generate pre-release buzz. However, Master, ahead of its release on January 13, found itself in the eye of the storm when the Tamil Nadu government allowed 100 per cent occupancy for theatres last week, following the star's meeting with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. Soon after, the Centre instructed the Tamil Nadu chief secretary to fall in line with its Coronavirus guidelines, leading the state government to revoke its order on January 8.
The controversy notwithstanding, director Lokesh Kanagaraj is only too happy that the film will have a theatrical release during Pongal. "The objective behind making this film was to release it in cinemas. A movie like this can only be celebrated on the big screen. We never thought of taking the OTT route, and were sure of waiting it out," he says.
The effort to secure 100 per cent occupancy had invited the wrath of different sections of society, who were aghast that a movie's commercial prospect was being given higher priority over public safety. Quiz him on this, and he instead emphasises the need to make cinemas safe by following necessary precautions. "If people come drunk to cinemas, the theatre authorities bar them from entering the premises. Likewise, if they see anyone not wearing a mask, they must adopt the same policy now. They have to be more vigilant. We have to take care of ourselves and follow all safety precautions. I will take my family to the theatre, and adhere to the safety norms. The pandemic has not ended completely, so we have to be [socially] conscious."
Ajay Devgn backs new talent for Kaithi remake?
8:26 AM
With the director of original Tamil flick busy, sources suggest Ajay Devgn has zeroed in on editor cousin to helm the actioner
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 14, 2020)
In February, Ajay Devgn had announced that he had snapped up the Hindi adaptation rights of the Tamil hit, Kaithi (2019). Revolving around a recently freed prisoner who has entrusted the responsibility to drive the cops to the nearest hospital after they are poisoned at a party, the Karthik Sivakumar-starrer is a high-octane action-thriller and right up Devgn's alley. While it was speculated that Lokesh Kanagaraj, the director of the original fare, might helm the Hindi outing, it has been heard that Devgn has turned to cousin Dharmendra Sharma for the job.A trade source reveals, "Since Lokesh Kanagaraj is currently busy, Ajay has trusted debutant director Dharmendra Sharma with the responsibility. The actor likes to give a platform to new talent. While Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior saw Om Raut take charge, his next release, Bhuj: The Pride of India, too has a first-time director. Ajay was impressed with Dharmendra's work on Tanhaji, on which he served as an editor, and hence, decided to give him a break. He has previously worked on several of Ajay's home productions. The actor will probably make an announcement after the current situation has settled down."
mid-day reached out to Devgn, who remained unavailable for comment.
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