Director Lokesh Kangaraj confirms standalone film on Suriya’s character Rolex

Tamil director Lokesh Kanagaraj recently held a Q&A session with aspiring filmmakers at the Koogai Library in Chennai. Speaking to a full house, the Leo director shared insights into his craft and answered around 40-50 questions, offering updates on his films and his vision for the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), which includes stars like Kamal Haasan, Suriya, Karthi, and Vijay, and films such as Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo.
During the session, Kanagaraj confirmed that a standalone film featuring Suriya’s character Rolex, introduced in Vikram, is in the works. He explained that after turning Rolex into a fan-favourite, it felt right to dive deeper into the character. He said, “I kept the Rolex scene to end Vikram on a high. Now, I will make a standalone Rolex film.”
Kanagaraj also touched upon the challenges faced while shooting Leo. While avoiding specifics, he admitted that some compromises were made, especially regarding Leo’s backstory, which he felt could have been better executed had there not been the limited 20-25 minute timeframe.
When asked about a sequel to Leo, Kanagaraj mentioned that it could be titled Parthiban, but gave no official confirmation. He expressed interest in continuing Leo’s storyline, though Vijay, who played the lead, has announced that his upcoming film with H. Vinoth would be his last. He plans to focus on politics with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), making a sequel unlikely.
Kanagaraj shared his long-term vision for the LCU, stating it would take about five more years to fully develop the universe, ensuring it has a proper conclusion.
Beyond discussing his films, Kanagaraj offered practical advice to aspiring filmmakers. He emphasised the importance of patience, learning from failures, and staying true to one’s vision. He spoke about recognising one’s strengths as a filmmaker, navigating challenges with stars, staying updated with technology, and dealing with criticism over violence and certain depictions in his films.