Indian director Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for his series of hit films, has faced criticism after the release of his latest movie, Cooli.
Lokesh first made his mark with Maa Nagaram, which brought him early success. He continued his winning streak with films like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo, earning a strong fan following in Indian cinema. After Leo, he directed Cooli, starring Kollywood superstar Rajinikanth. The film also featured several other stars, raising expectations to an unprecedented level.
Despite the hype, Cooli, released on 14 August, did not meet audience expectations. Viewers and critics alike felt it was below Lokesh’s usual standard, calling it one of the weakest films of his career. Many fans who had previously praised him expressed disappointment after the release.
Adding to the criticism, Lokesh himself stated that he does not make films just to meet audience expectations. This remark fuelled the debate further, highlighting the director’s urgent need for a solid hit to regain his reputation.
Interestingly, Lokesh is not only a director but has also committed to acting in films. He is set to work with director Arun Matheswaran, known for Captain Miller and Saani Kaayidham. After Cooli, this project is expected to move forward soon. Fans are curious to see if Lokesh can make a mark as an actor even when he is not directing.
Lokesh has built a cinematic universe and achieved great success with his earlier films. However, Cooli failed primarily because the focus was on star casting rather than the story. Critics suggest that Lokesh should continue to concentrate on his cinematic universe, which has brought him his most successful films, if he wants to regain his winning streak.
There is news that Lokesh is planning his next project, Kaithi 2, a sequel to his hit Kaithi, with actor Karthi. Fans are optimistic that Kaithi 2 will restore Lokesh’s reputation as a director.
Only time will tell if Lokesh Kanagaraj can bounce back from the disappointment of Cooli and deliver another blockbuster.
