‘Tier-Two? Not to Me’ : Lokesh Kanagaraj on Karthi

As the promotions for Coolie pick up pace ahead of its August 14 release, director Lokesh Kanagaraj has been actively engaging with the media. The Rajinikanth-starrer is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, not just for its massive cast, featuring names like Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Shruti Haasan, but also because it’s Lokesh’s first standalone film in a while. Notably, Coolie is not part of his interconnected Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU).

During a recent promotional interaction, Lokesh was asked whether he regrets choosing Karthi as the lead for his next film Kaithi 2, especially after working with Tamil cinema’s biggest stars like Vijay, Kamal Haasan, and Rajinikanth. The question referred to Karthi as a “tier-two hero,” implying a perceived drop in star value.

Lokesh’s response was firm and respectful. “When I was no one, it was Karthi sir who gave me a huge scale to show my skills to the world,” he said. “So, as for me, Karthi sir is a big star. It was his belief in me that made me what I am today. I strongly believe I’ll give a huge hit to him with Kaithi 2.”

Kaithi, released in 2019, was Lokesh’s breakout film. Karthi played a prisoner caught in a night-long battle with drug syndicates while trying to reunite with his daughter. The film’s success laid the foundation for Lokesh’s rise and the creation of the LCU.

With Kaithi 2 on the horizon, Lokesh’s comments serve as a strong reminder of his loyalty to those who stood by him early in his career. In an industry that often chases bigger names and budgets, Lokesh’s stance reinforces a rare quality, remembering where you started and who helped you get there.