Lokesh Kanagaraj wife, movies, networth, family and more

Unknown Facts About Lokesh Kanagaraj

Here are 10 fascinating unknown facts about Lokesh Kanagaraj that most fans don’t know, including his hidden background, unexpected career journey, and surprising personal preferences.

Career and Educational Background

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s journey to filmmaking was completely unconventional, starting from an entirely different professional background. His original academic focus was fashion technology, where he completed his undergraduate degree before pursuing an MBA in Finance. Most remarkably, he worked as a bank employee for almost five years in Chennai before discovering his true calling in cinema.

The turning point in his career came through a corporate short film competition where he participated out of pure interest rather than professional ambition. The competition judge was renowned director Karthik Subbaraj, who was so impressed with Lokesh’s work that he personally encouraged him to quit banking and pursue filmmaking full-time. This chance encounter completely changed the trajectory of Tamil cinema, as Lokesh took this advice seriously and made the bold decision to leave his stable banking career.

His filmmaking education was entirely self-taught, with Lokesh openly admitting that he never received any formal training in direction. Instead, he learned the fundamentals of filmmaking by studying Kamal Haasan’s movies frame by frame. This unconventional education method explains his deep understanding of cinematic techniques and his ability to create complex narrative structures without traditional film school training.

Personal Influences and Inspirations

Lokesh’s obsession with Kamal Haasan goes beyond professional admiration, reaching deeply personal levels that influenced even family decisions. He was so captivated by Kamal Haasan’s 1986 film “Vikram” that he questioned his mother about why she didn’t name him Vikram, since the film was released the same year he was born. This childhood fascination eventually culminated in him directing his own version of “Vikram” in 2022, creating a spiritual successor to the original film.

His directorial style draws heavily from international cinema, particularly action films from the 1980s and 1990s. Lokesh has specifically cited Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino as major influences, which explains his preference for retro music, stylized violence, and interconnected narratives that characterize his films. His assistant Rathna Kumar, who worked on Master, Vikram, and Leo, confirmed that Lokesh’s signature elements stem directly from his admiration for Tarantino’s filmmaking approach.

Industry Recognition and Future Plans

One of the most surprising aspects of Lokesh’s career is his announced retirement plan – he has publicly stated his intention to conclude his directing career after completing exactly 10 films. This unusual decision was announced in June 2023, making every upcoming project increasingly precious for fans of his work. Currently, he has directed six feature films, meaning only four more directorial ventures remain in his planned filmography.

His production company G Squad, launched in November 2023, represents his transition toward producing content while maintaining selective directorial involvement. The company’s first production “Fight Club,” directed by Vijay Kumar, demonstrates his commitment to nurturing new talent while expanding his creative influence beyond personal directing projects.