Lokesh Kanagaraj is a renowned Indian film director and screenwriter who has revolutionized Tamil cinema with his gripping action-packed thrillers. He is renowned for helming blockbuster movies such as the lokesh cinematic universe and Vikram. He has earned fame and money through these movies. His blockbuster film has grossed over 600 crores, establishing him as a prominent figure in the film industry. In this article, we will be sharing this person’s entire journey with you and providing all the necessary details about it. Let’s begin our article today.
Lokesh Kanagaraj Wikipedia
Lokesh Kanagaraj is a Tamil film director and screenwriter who made his debut with the short film Kalam, which was released in 2016. His first feature film Maanagaram was released in 2017 and was a critical hit. After this, he created the LCU, which had a blend of intense action and connected stories. He has collaborated with stars like Vijay, Kamal Haasan, and Rajinikanth, which boosted his fame. He is also a producer and founder of G Squad.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Profession | Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer |
| Born | March 14, 1986, Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known For | Lokesh Cinematic Universe, Kaithi, Vikram, Leo |
Lokesh Kanagaraj Age
Lokesh was born on 14 March 1986, and his age is 39 years as of 2025. According to astrology, his zodiac sign is Pisces.
Height & Weight
Lokesh stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches, and he weighs approximately 70 kilograms. He is in excellent physical condition, and he consistently engages in workouts to preserve his physique and follows a highly disciplined lifestyle.
| Detail | Information |
| Height | 5’8” (173 cm) |
| Weight | ~70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Build | Fit, athletic |
Early Life & Family Background
Lokesh was born in Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore, to Parameshwaran, a bus conductor, and Sunitha Parameshwaran. He was born with three brothers, Arvind, Ashwin, and Prashant. He also has a sister named Avantika. Kanagaraj was inspired by Kamal Haasan’s films. His modest upbringing in a small town boosted his storytelling passion, and he started his filmmaking journey through a corporate short film competition.
| Detail | Information |
| Birthplace | Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| Father | Parameshwaran (Bus Conductor) |
| Mother | Sunitha Parameshwaran |
| Siblings | Aravind, Ashwin, Prashanth (Brothers), Avantika (Sister) |
| Early Interest | Watching Kamal Haasan films |
Educational Background
Lokesh completed his education at Palaniammal Matric Hr. Sec. School, Pollachi. After earning his degree in Fashion Technology from PSG College of Arts and Science, he went on to Anna University in Chennai to earn his MBA. He has no formal film training. He learned filmmaking by studying Kamal Haasan’s movies.
| Detail | Information |
| School | Palaniammal Matric Hr. Sec. School, Pollachi |
| College | PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore |
| Degrees | B.Sc. Fashion Technology, MBA |
| Film Training | Self-taught via Kamal Haasan films |
Career Breakdown
Lokesh’s career began with a short film, Acham Thavir, and he won Best Director at the Blue Ocean Film Festival in 2016. His biggest breakthrough came with the 2016 short film Kalam. His debut feature was Maanagaram, which was released in 2017. It was a hit hyperlink thriller. He has worked in many films, and we have mentioned the information about all his projects in the table below.
| Milestone | Details |
| First Short Film | Acham Thavir (2012) |
| Feature Debut | Maanagaram (2017) |
| LCU Creation | Kaithi (2019) |
| Major Hit | Master (2021) |
| Production Venture | G Squad, Fight Club (2023) |
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Movies List
Lokesh has directed six feature films, which are Tamil action thrillers, and he has also acted in a cameo. His next film is in production. He has not directed any TV shows but has produced Fight Club and Benz under G Squad.
| Movie | Year | Role | Language |
| Maanagaram | 2,017 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
| Kaithi | 2019 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
| Master | 2021 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
| Vikram | 2022 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
| Singapore Saloon | 2023 | Actor (Cameo) | Tamil |
| Leo | 2023 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
| Coolie | 2025 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
| Rolex | 2026 | Director, Screenwriter | Tamil |
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s First Movie
Lokesh’s first feature film was Maanagaram in 2017, which was a hyperlink thriller set in Chennai, and it showed the lives of four strangers. Here, he starred Sundeep Kishan, and it earned critical acclaim for its tight screenplay, and Lokesh also won the Best Debut Director Award.
| Detail | Information |
| Title | Maanagaram |
| Year | 2017 |
| Role | Director, Screenwriter |
| Cast | Sundeep Kishan, Regina Cassandra |
| Award | Best Debut Director, Vijay Awards |
Lokesh Kanagaraj Upcoming Movies
Lokesh’s upcoming film Coolie will be released, in which Rajinikanth has starred. This film will be released on 14 August 2025, and many more of his films are confirmed. One potential Bollywood project is with Aamir Khan, but there is no confirmed information about it. We have mentioned the information about his upcoming movies in the table below.
| Movie | Year | Role | Status |
| Coolie | 2,025 | Director, Screenwriter | Post-production |
| Rolex | 2026 | Director, Screenwriter | Announced |
| Kaithi 2 | 2026 | Director, Screenwriter | Pre-production |
Lokesh’s Wife
Lokesh tied the knot with Aishwarya on January 8, 2012, after being in a relationship for 12 years. He is a father of two children, a daughter named Adhvika Lokesh who was born in 2012 and a son named Arudra. Aishwarya provided financial assistance to Lokesh during his early days in the film industry and motivated him to quit his banking job.
| Detail | Information |
| Wife | Aishwarya Lokesh |
| Marriage Date | January 8, 2012 |
| Children | Adhvika (Daughter), Aarudhra (Son) |
| Wife’s Role | Supported Lokesh’s career transition |
His Achievements & Awards
Lokesh has won many awards due to his innovative storytelling, and we have mentioned the information of all his awards in the table below.
| Award | Year | Details |
| Vijay Award | 2017 | Best Debut Director (Maanagaram) |
| Zee Tamil Cine Award | 2019 | Favourite Director (Kaithi) |
| Galatta Crown Award | 2021 | Favourite Director (Master) |
| SIIMA Award | 2022 | Best Director (Vikram) |
Lokesh Kanagaraj Net Worth 2025
Lokesh’s annual income is Rs 90 crore as of 2025. His wealth comes from directing fees, screenwriting, and he also earns good money through the production of G Squad. He also gets a lot of money from brand endorsements. He has a good house in Chennai and luxury cars, and this reflects his successful life.
| Detail | Information |
| Net Worth | $11 million (₹90 crore) |
| Income Sources | Directing, screenwriting, producing, endorsements |
| Assets | Chennai home, Lexus ES 300h, car collection |
His Social Media Handles
Lokesh connects on social media through Instagram and is also available on X. He keeps sharing updates of his pictures there, sometimes behind the scenes. Key moments also appear here, and family moments are also posted here, so if you guys want to stay connected with him closely, then you can follow him on Instagram. We have mentioned his handle below.
| Platform | Handle | Followers (2025) |
| @lokesh.kanagaraj | 2.7 million | |
| @Dir_Lokesh | 2.7 million |
Thanx a lot @actorvijay na for everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iSc31Xs9q1
— Lokesh Kanagaraj (@Dir_Lokesh) March 14, 2023
Will an Aamir-Lokesh Film Be A Superhero Movie?
Lokesh and Aamir Khan are rumored to collaborate, as such rumors are going viral on social media because the two recently met at Excel Studios in April 2025. According to sources, Lokesh has pitched a superhero film, and this is an in-house team project. Aamir is also exploring innovative roles. After Dangal, this project is rumored to happen under Mythri Movie Makers, and this is Lokesh’s first collaboration. There can also be a Bollywood debut; this is unconfirmed for now, and we will get more clarity related to it in the coming time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lokesh’s next film?
Lokesh’s next film is Coolie (2025), starring Rajinikanth, set for release on August 14, 2025.
Did Lokesh Kanagaraj get married?
Yes, Lokesh married Aishwarya Lokesh on January 8, 2012, and they have two children.
How rich is Lokesh Kanagaraj?
Lokesh’s net worth is around $11 million (₹90 crore) in 2025, per TheCityCeleb.
Is Kaithi 2 confirmed?
Yes, Kaithi 2 is confirmed for 2026, continuing the LCU with Karthi, per Wikipedia.
How rich is Madhavan?
R. Madhavan’s net worth is estimated at ₹110 crore in 2025, per Times of India.