Lokesh Cinematic Universe

The Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), also known as the Lokiverse, is an Indian media franchise and shared universe of Tamil-language action thriller films created by Lokesh Kanagaraj. It is currently the highest-grossing Tamil film franchise. The universe follows an elaborate conflict between law enforcement officers and vigilantes in South India who are at war against dangerous drug cartels led by powerful crime lords. The first film in the universe was ''Kaithi'' (2019), followed by '' Vikram'' (2022) and '' Leo'' (2023). It is set to continue with '' Benz'', the first LCU film not directed by Lokesh.

Development

Lokesh Kanagaraj expressed his desire to create a shared universe of films after completing his debut feature, '' Maanagaram''. He emphasized that such films have enduring appeal. During the production of ''Kaithi'', he conceptualized and experimented with this idea, incorporating multiple open-ended plotlines in ''Kaithi''. He further developed this concept in collaboration with Dream Warrior Pictures and Raaj Kamal Films International for his film '' Vikram'', utilising properties owned by these production companies. As a result, he successfully established a shared universe and announced plans for additional projects set within this interconnected cinematic world.

Naming

Though the name "Lokesh Cinematic Universe" was coined by netizens, post the release of ''Vikram'', Lokesh accepted it as the official name of the universe. Other names for the franchise include the Loki Cinematic Universe and Lokiverse, as Loki is his nickname.

In-franchise connections

Narain, George Maryan and Maya S. Krishnan are the only actors who have reprised their roles in significant capacities across multiple films within the universe. Karthi and Kamal Haasan have made voice-only cameo appearances, reprising their roles as Dilli in ''Vikram'' and Vikram in ''Leo,'' respectively.

Feature films

''Kaithi'' (2019)

After a drug bust of 900 kgs of cocaine belonging to drug peddlers Adaikalam and Anbu in Trichy, Inspector Bejoy faces a dire situation when several cops are poisoned at a party by a corrupt cop in an attempt to recover the loot and kill the officers involved in the bust. To thwart the gang, Bejoy blackmails ex-convict Dilli into assisting him by threatening to prevent him from meeting his 10-year-old daughter for the first time. Together, they embark on a mission to transport the poisoned cops to the hospital and prevent Anbu's gang from getting their hands on the busted drugs. Their journey is fraught with danger as they continuously evade pursuing gang members, who receive support from a corrupt narcotics official, Stephen Raj.

The first installment of the LCU, it stars Karthi in the lead role, along with Narain, Arjun Das, Harish Uthaman, George Maryan and Dheena in pivotal roles.

''Vikram'' (2022)

Amar, a black ops agent, is assigned to investigate a series of murders committed by a masked group of vigilantes. Their victims include high-ranking officials from the narcotics department like Stephen Raj and ACP Prabhanjan, and Prabhanjan's seemingly harmless foster father, Karnan. As Amar delves deeper into the case, a tangled web of clues leads him to the mastermind behind the murders, a drug kingpin named Sandhanam, who controls the largest drug syndicate in Chennai. However, a surprising twist reveals that Karnan is, in fact, alive and is a former Black Ops Commander Vikram, who leads the group of vigilantes, that now includes Bejoy. In the face of this revelation, Vikram, Amar, and Bejoy unite their efforts to take down Sandhanam's powerful drug syndicate.

The second installment in the LCU stars Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil with Kalidas Jayaram, Narain and Chemban Vinod Jose in supporting roles. Suriya made his first appearance in the LCU in a cameo role as Rolex. The film is a spiritual successor of '' Vikram'' (1986).

''Leo'' (2023)

Parthiban, a café owner and animal rescuer in Theog, becomes a local hero after killing a group of robbers in his café. This draws the attention of gangsters Antony and Harold Das, who suspect him to be Antony's estranged son, Leo Das. Parthiban denies having any connection to them but they continue to hound him, and he takes matters into his own hands by eliminating both Antony and Harold and destroying their datura factory after confessing that he is Leo having left his past life behind. Following this, Vikram, knowing Parthi's identity as Leo, invites him to join forces in creating a drug-free society in India, while suggesting a mysterious connection between them from their past.

The third installment in LCU stars Vijay in the title role, alongside Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priya Anand and Madonna Sebastian with George Maryan as Napoleon and a voice-over cameo by Kamal Haasan as Agent Vikram. It is based on the 2005 film ''A History of Violence'', which itself was an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name.

Leo emerged as the highest grossing LCU film, the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023, the fifth highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the highest-grossing Tamil film overseas and the highest-grossing film in Tamil Nadu.

Upcoming films

''Benz''

Lokesh announced a new action thriller film titled ''Benz'', starring Raghava Lawrence and directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan on 14 April 2024. A teaser was unveiled on Raghava Lawrence's 48th birthday, welcoming him into the universe on 29 October 2024. Malayalam Actor Nivin Pauly is confirmed to be playing the antagonist in the movie.

''Kaithi 2''

As implied at the end of ''Kaithi'', Lokesh had planned for a sequel, which he confirmed after its release. In an interview with Subha J Rao to ''Firstpost'', Lokesh conveyed his interest in developing the film into a franchise, stating that he had an idea for both the prequel and the sequel, which depends on the recurring schedules of the cast members. In May 2021, the film's producer, S. R. Prabhu, confirmed that the sequel was in the works.

''Kaithi 2'' is intended to be a prequel for Dilli, focusing on his character. Later, in an interaction with fans through Twitter, Lokesh explained about Anbu's return in ''Vikram'' as he was knocked out and not dead, although he had stitch marks in his jaw due to his injuries.

Following the success of ''Vikram'', Lokesh planned to expand the scale of the sequel, with S. R. Prabhu admitting that it would be bigger than the first film. Production of the film was expected to begin in the second quarter of 2022 but was delayed as Lokesh intended to resume the project after completing ''Leo'' and a film with Rajinikanth, titled ''Coolie'' (2025), which would not be a part of the LCU. it was officially announced on 15th March 2025.

''Vikram 2''

Owing to the film's remarkable success, Kamal Haasan, in an interview with ''Pinkvilla,'' expressed the potential for a sequel to ''Vikram.'' Additionally, reports were indicating the development of a third instalment in the ''Vikram'' series. There have been many who said it would be named Vikram 2 or Vikram 3, but the makers had decided that it would be titled Vikram Returns. In many interviews later on, Lokesh confirmed that the sequel to ''Vikram'' will be the official endgame for his universe and has always maintained that there needs to be a proper closure to it.

Standalone ''Rolex'' film

In August 2023, Suriya revealed that a spin-off centred around his character, Rolex from ''Vikram'', was being planned. Lokesh pitched Suriya an idea for a standalone film of the Rolex character, and the actor too agreed to the idea, which Lokesh later confirmed in October 2024.

Short films

''Chapter Zero - The Origin of LCU''

Lokesh announced a short film on 29 October 2024, which would describe the inception of the universe before ''Kaithi''. Arjun Das, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, and a few other actors from the universe will be a part of the short film. Lokesh released a first look at LCU Chapter Zero and titled it - 1 Shot 2 Stories 24 Hours, referring to the short film shot in 24 hours consisting of 2 stories and executed in a single shot.

Additional crew and production details

Future plans

In November 2024, Lokesh shared his plans for the franchise and the roadmap ahead. “The opening (first film) was good. Now its structure is that there are only three films in the universe (so far). So, the fourth and fifth movies should be two basements, the sixth should be the pre-climax and the seventh or eighth should be the end. Going by that, I will get to do ''Kaithi 2'', Rolex standalone and ''Vikram 2''. If Vijay sir hadn’t announced retirement, I would have done ''Leo 2'' as well. Then ''Leo 2'' or ''Vikram 2'' would have been the final film. That’s the maximum I can do with this universe".

Spin-offs

Lokesh revealed his plans for two spin-off series with George Maryan’s character Napoleon from ''Kaithi'' and Agent Tina from ''Vikram'' (played by Vasanthi). However, he revealed he would let his assistants or other directors complete the same. Details of these are yet to be unveiled.

Music

Anirudh Ravichander composed the soundtracks and film scores for the LCU films under the label of Sony Music, except for ''Kaithi'' and ''Benz'', which were composed respectively by Sam CS and Sai Abhyankkar under the label of Think Music.

Theme music

"Lokiverse" serves as the theme music for the franchise. It has two versions. The original version was featured in ''Vikram'' (2022), while the second version was featured in ''Leo'' (2023). The second version titled " Lokiverse 2.0" connected the elements of the franchise between the first three installments: ''Kaithi'' (2019), '' Vikram'' (2022) and '' Leo'' (2023).

Soundtracks

Film scores

Timeline

An official timeline has not been released by the makers, but the films indicate this.

In the cinematic universe, the events in ''Kaithi'' unfold in the year 2019, followed by the events in '' Vikram,'' which transpire three months after the events in ''Kaithi.'' Subsequently, the events in '' Leo'' occur two years later in 2021. The flashback storylines in ''Vikram'' and ''Leo'' depict events from 1991 and 1999 respectively.

Recurring cast and characters

Reception

Box office performance

The Lokesh Cinematic Universe is currently the highest grossing Tamil film franchise.

Critical reception

Notes

References

{{Lokesh Kanagaraj

Action film franchises
Continuity (fiction)
Fictional universes
Film series introduced in 2019
Indian film series
Mass media franchises introduced in 2019
Shared universes
Indian shared universes
Thriller film series