Are Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan Reuniting For A Lokesh Kanagaraj Film?
After 'Coolie', it was expected that Lokesh Kanagaraj would direct 'Kaithi 2'.
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie made history last week by becoming the highest day-one grosser for a Tamil film worldwide, raking in over ₹151 crore on Thursday. In India, the film netted an opening day of ₹65 crore (including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi versions), followed by nearly ₹55 crore on Friday (Independence Day), THR India had reported.
Although Coolie did not maintain the same momentum as it entered Monday, the film is continuing to hold well into its second week. But on Monday, several reports from various Tamil cinema trackers and social media handles posted that Lokesh’s next film would mark the reunion of superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan after 46 years.
The rumoured film is also said to be produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films. This project was to go on floors before the COVID-19 pandemic, but was put on hold. The two superstars are reported to be playing ageing gangsters in the film, although there has been no official confirmation. Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth were last seen together back in 1979’s Alauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum, directed by Malayalam movie director IV Sasi.
It is also speculated that Kanagaraj might not immediately begin work on Kaithi 2, co-starring Karthi.
Following the success of Kaithi (2019), Lokesh and Karthi officially confirmed the sequel Kaithi 2. The first film, which followed the gripping story of ex-convict Dilli, became a cult classic for its fiery action sequences and detailed narrative. Lokesh and Karthi’s recent social media post, where the actor presented the director with his signature silver kada, sent fans into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Sun TV Network Limited filed a civil appeal against the CBFC’s decision, in hopes of making Lokesh’s film Coolie accessible to viewers under the age of 18, challenging its original 'A' certificate.