Director Lokesh Kanagaraj Biography: Age, Early life, Career, Movies, Net Worth, Marriage, Remuneration, Family, Education, Daughter

Lokesh Kanagaraj Biography

Name: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Profession: Film Director, Screenwriter
Date of Birth: March 14, 1986
Age (as of 2025): 39 years
Birthplace: Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality: Indian
Known For: Creating the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) with hits like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, Leo and Coolie

Early Life and Education

Lokesh Kanagaraj was born and raised in Kinathukadavu, a small town in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. From a young age, he was fascinated by storytelling and cinema. Despite not having a direct connection to the film industry, Lokesh nurtured his passion through writing short stories and scripts.

He pursued his MBA in Finance from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Surprisingly, Lokesh never planned to enter cinema professionally. He was working in the banking sector before fate turned him toward filmmaking.

Career Journey

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s entry into the film industry was unconventional. He participated in a corporate short film contest conducted by Nalaya Iyakunar, where his talent was spotted. His short film titled Kalam gained attention and opened doors for his film career.

Debut

• Maanagaram (2017): His directorial debut, Maanagaram, was a critically acclaimed urban thriller that brought a fresh perspective to Tamil cinema. The film’s non-linear narrative and intense screenplay received widespread praise.

Rise to Fame

• Kaithi (2019): Lokesh’s next film starring Karthi turned out to be a massive hit. Kaithi was not only a box office success but also laid the foundation for the now-famous Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU).
• Master (2021): Featuring Thalapathy Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi, Master was one of the biggest Tamil releases post-pandemic. Despite challenges, it became a blockbuster.
• Vikram (2022): Starring Kamal Haasan, Vikram was a game-changer. It officially expanded the LCU and connected previous films like Kaithi, with cameos from characters like Dilli (Karthi).
• Leo (2023): Teaming up again with Vijay, Leo added more intrigue to the LCU. While the film received mixed reviews, it performed well at the box office and expanded the cinematic universe even further.

Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU)

Lokesh is widely credited for building South India’s first successful interconnected film universe, comparable to Hollywood’s MCU. Characters and storylines from Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo all tie together under this universe. He has hinted at several spin-offs and future films as part of this growing world.

Upcoming Projects (as of 2025)

• Thalaivar 171 with Superstar Rajinikanth is among the most awaited films of his career. This project is expected to be an action-packed standalone film. Releasing On August 14th

Family and Personal Life

Lokesh Kanagaraj is married to Aishwarya and the couple has a daughter. Despite his rising fame, Lokesh prefers to keep his personal life away from the limelight. He maintains a low profile on social media and focuses heavily on his work.

Remuneration

As of 2025, Lokesh Kanagaraj reportedly charges between ₹12 to ₹20 crores per film, depending on the scale and production house. His market value has significantly increased post the success of Vikram and Leo.

Net Worth

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s estimated net worth is around ₹75 to ₹100 crores. His income includes film direction, scriptwriting, brand collaborations, and profit-sharing from major productions.

Notable Movies Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj

Interesting Facts

• Lokesh is a self-proclaimed fan of Kamal Haasan and Quentin Tarantino.
• He is known for reusing characters across different films as part of LCU.
• Despite directing stars like Vijay, Kamal, and Karthi, he is admired for maintaining his signature style and narrative control.