When Lokesh Saved 5 Crs To Producers

Finishing a big film within time and budget is rare these days, especially when the cast includes stars from multiple industries. But Lokesh Kanagaraj is proving to be an exception. While most pan India films keep extending their schedules and crossing budgets, he wrapped up Coolie ahead of time, and even saved money for the producer.

At today’s Coolie Pre Release Telugu event, Hero Nagarjuna shared that Lokesh completed the final schedule in Bangkok without needing the extra days they had planned. Because of this, producer Kalanithi Maran was left with a 5 crore surplus. Lokesh could have easily extended the shoot or used up the budget, but instead, he kept things tight and efficient.

This kind of approach is rare now. With pan India hype, many directors feel the need to overspend or drag things out for perfection. But Lokesh proved that discipline and smart planning still matter. The 5 crore saved could now go toward large-scale promotions, a huge advantage for any big film.

Directors like Puri Jagannadh and Anil Ravipudi have built a reputation for fast and budget-conscious filmmaking. Lokesh is now setting a similar example on a national level. With Coolie expected to be a massive release, fans believe it might become Tamil cinema’s first film to cross the 1000 crore mark.

While big titles like War 2 are lined up as competition, Coolie is heading into the race with momentum, trust, and a director who knows how to deliver without wasting time or money.