Die-Hard Kamal Haasan Fan Lokesh Kanagaraj On Directing Rajinikanth

It’s no secret that Lokesh Kanagaraj is a big fan of actor Kamal Haasan — he’s mentioned as much in numerous interviews, including one with The Hindu. Recently, in conversation with Anupama Chopra, Editor of The Hollywood Reporter India, the director revealed what it was like to direct another legendary actor, Rajinikanth, for his upcoming film, Coolie (2025).

“It’s a dream for me… a blessing to work with Kamal sir and Rajini sir,” he said. “I want to show him what a Kamal Haasan fan can do with a Rajinikanth film.”

While he’s been an overt Haasan fan, Kanagaraj revealed that he’d grown up with Rajinikanth’s filmography and working with him was a surreal experience. Chopra then asked if there was a difference in the way the two stars approached their craft.

Kanagaraj said there was. “I’ve just completed two schedules [of Coolie] so far, but even with this little experience I have of working with Rajinikanth, it's been [quite] a process. What I've learned is that Rajini sir is a director’s actor.”

The director added that there was no difference between Rajinikanth’s on-screen and off-screen personas. “He keeps thinking about the scene, about what the other actor will do. He won't even sit or rest,” said Kanagaraj. “Even for the suggestion shots, for which we can easily use someone else to stand in, he chooses to stand in for himself.”

On the other hand, Kamal Haasan comes from a completely different school of thought, he added. “Kamal sir used to say that he believed he was more of a technician than an actor. You know the difference between talking [to either of those] about a scene.”

Ultimately, the director said that when it comes to filmmaking, he only sees the characters — and not the actors embodying them. “You just have to experience what it’s like saying ‘Action’ in front of these two living legends on set,” he said.

Chopra then asked if these stars’ larger-than-life personas would ever factor into the writing process — especially in films like Vettaiyan (2024), in which the actor plays the role of a man who makes a mistake.

Kanagaraj explained that all the stars he’d worked with had been aware of the kind of director they had chosen to say yes to. “If Rajini sir wanted to work with [director] TJ Gnanavel sir, he’d be prepared to take a risk. He knows the kind of films Gnanavel sir makes.”

After Maanagaram (2017), Rajinikanth was the first to call the director and they had been talking ever since. Kanagaraj added that since he is now six films old, Rajinikanth knows what to expect from a director like him. “And I know how I want to show[case] Rajini sir to the people. It's a collaboration,” he said.

The director also mentioned that while Rajinikanth’s superstardom didn’t influence his writing process to a great extent, he certainly did keep his enormous fan base in mind.

“When it comes to South films, fans want to celebrate Rajini sir, even if it's a film that talks about a lot of social issues,” he said. “They want to celebrate their idol onscreen. After a film’s announcement is made, it takes one-and-a-half to two years for the fans to see it on screen. After all, their expectations build day-by-day with all the promotions we do and all the interviews we give.”

From the very first shot of the teaser, bathed in shadows and glistening gold, the hype for Coolie only seems to be increasing.