Lokesh Kanagaraj Confirms ‘Coolie’ Will Wrap in 6–8 Months, Not Years Like RRR

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj made it clear that he doesn’t believe in stretching film shoots for years, even when working on massive multi-starrers. While speaking on a podcast hosted by Sudhir Srinivasan, Lokesh opened up about his upcoming film Coolie with Rajinikanth and explained how his filmmaking style sharply contrasts with SS Rajamouli’s approach in RRR.

Lokesh said, “This is a multi-starrer film, right? So, of course, small issues or delays crop up, it’s beyond our control. But I’m not doing what Rajamouli sir did with RRR, making actors sit for three years. I’ll complete Coolie within six to eight months.” He emphasized that even with a big cast, he sticks to tight, efficient shoot schedules.

No Long Commitments—Only Complete Dedication

Lokesh explained that his fast-paced method usually allows actors to take up other projects. However, the intense planning behind Coolie demands full commitment. He pointed out that Soubin Shahir, who comes from the quick-turnaround Malayalam industry, still gave up six to seven films just to stay available for Coolie. Lokesh stressed that actors must maintain the same appearance throughout the shoot, which only works if they dedicate themselves fully for the six to eight months.

Lokesh Prefers Speed Over Long Productions

Unlike Rajamouli, who spent years completing RRR from shooting in 2018 to releasing in 2022, Lokesh follows a no-delay approach. While Rajamouli’s grand scale and the pandemic stretched RRR’s timeline, Lokesh chooses to wrap films quickly while delivering strong content without dragging schedules.

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Swift Climb in Indian Cinema

Lokesh began his journey in 2016 with the anthology Aviyal, then made his feature debut with Maanagaram in 2017. He followed it up with blockbuster hits like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo. Except for Master, all these films belong to his interconnected Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). However, Coolie will remain outside the LCU.

Star-Studded Cast and Release Date of Coolie

Coolie features a powerhouse lineup including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and Monisha Blessy. Reports also suggest that Aamir Khan appears in a special cameo. The team plans to release the film in theatres on August 14.

Lokesh also clarified that while the upcoming film Benz (starring Raghava Lawrence) belongs to the LCU, he will not direct it.

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