Lokesh Kanagaraj opens up on backing out of Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan film, offers clarity on ‘Kaithi 2’ and LCU

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj opened up about backing out of the much-aniticipated Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan film during a press conference in Chennai on Monday, January 26, 2026. The director also shared updates on his upcoming projects.

Speaking about Thalaivar 173, Lokesh said, “I was in talks to do the film with Rajinikanth sir and Kamal Haasan sir. I narrated an action script which they both were quite excited about. But then, both of them had been doing a lot of action films of late, and so, they wanted a light-hearted film. I cannot write that kind of film and that’s why I backed out of that project.”

Lokesh then proceeded to offer clarity on Kaithi 2, the much-awaited sequel film that is part of his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). The Karthi starrer, which he was supposed to do after Leo(2023), was postponed due to his subsequent commitments. Now, following the announcement that his next is with Allu Arjun, there were speculations that Lokesh has decided to scrap LCU.

Lokesh said that wanted to do Kaithi 2 after Rajinikanth’s Coolie. “But because of the film with Rajini sir and Kamal sir, I had asked the production banner for some time. Later, when I exited that project, Karthi sir had signed another director for his next film. So, I now had some time before Kaithi 2,” he said.

Lokesh added, “Meanwhile, Mythri Movie Makers had given me an advance a few years ago and I have always wanted to work with Allu Arjun sir. So that’s how AA23 started. But I can confidently say that my film after this will be Kaithi 2 and LCU isn’t ending anytime soon. You’ll see many more projects coming up from this universe.”

Meanwhile, Thalaivar 173 will be helmed by Cibi Chakaravarthi and backed by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran under Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI). Earlier, filmmaker Sundar C was attached to the project; however, he later decided to step back from it.