Lokesh Cinematic Universe
Updated: 12/11/2025, 9:45:28 AM Wikipedia source
The Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), also known as the Lokiverse, is an Indian media franchise and shared universe of Tamil-language action thriller films created by Lokesh Kanagaraj. It is currently the highest-grossing Tamil film franchise. The universe follows an elaborate conflict between law enforcement officers and vigilantes in India who are at war against dangerous drug cartels led by powerful crime lords. The first film in the universe was Kaithi (2019), followed by Vikram (2022) and Leo (2023). It is set to continue with Benz, the first LCU film not to be directed by Lokesh, and Kaithi 2.
Infobox
Created by
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Original work
Kaithi (2019)
Owners
mw- Dream Warrior Pictures G Squad Raaj Kamal Films International Seven Screen Studio KVN Productions
Years
2019–present
Film(s)
Kaithi (2019) Vikram (2022) Leo (2023)
Soundtrack(s)
Vikram (soundtrack) Leo (soundtrack)
Budget
est. ₹395–445 crore (3 films)
Box office
est. ₹1,100–1,155 crore (3 films)
Tables
· Feature films
Kaithi
Kaithi
Film
Kaithi
Release date
25 October 2019 (2019-10-25)
Director
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Story
Pon ParthibanLokesh Kanagaraj
Screenplay
Dream Warrior PicturesVivekananda Pictures
Vikram
Vikram
Film
Vikram
Release date
3 June 2022 (2022-06-03)
Director
Rathna KumarLokesh Kanagaraj
Story
Raaj Kamal Films International
Leo
Leo
Film
Leo
Release date
19 October 2023 (2023-10-19)
Director
Lokesh KanagarajRathna KumarDeeraj Vaidy
Story
Seven Screen Studio
| Film | Release date | Director | Story | Screenplay | Dialogue | Production Company |
| Kaithi | 25 October 2019 (2019-10-25) | Lokesh Kanagaraj | Pon ParthibanLokesh Kanagaraj | Dream Warrior PicturesVivekananda Pictures | ||
| Vikram | 3 June 2022 (2022-06-03) | Rathna KumarLokesh Kanagaraj | Raaj Kamal Films International | |||
| Leo | 19 October 2023 (2023-10-19) | Lokesh KanagarajRathna KumarDeeraj Vaidy | Seven Screen Studio | |||
· Feature films › Upcoming films
Benz
Benz
Film
Benz
Release Date
2026
Director
Bakkiyaraj Kannan
Writer(s)
Lokesh KanagarajBakkiyaraj Kannan
Production Company
Passion StudiosThe RouteG Squad
Status
Filming
Kaithi 2
Kaithi 2
Film
Kaithi 2
Release Date
TBA
Director
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Writer(s)
Lokesh KanagarajS. R. Prabhu
Production Company
Dream Warrior PicturesKVN Productions
Status
Pre-production
Untitled Rolex film
Untitled Rolex film
Film
Untitled Rolex film
Release Date
TBA
Director
Lokesh KanagarajKarthik Subbaraj
Writer(s)
KVN Productions
Production Company
In Development
Vikram Returns
Vikram Returns
Film
Vikram Returns
Release Date
TBA
Director
Lokesh KanagarajRathna KumarDeeraj Vaidy
Writer(s)
Raaj Kamal Films International
| Film | Release Date | Director | Writer(s) | Production Company | Status |
| Benz | 2026 | Bakkiyaraj Kannan | Lokesh KanagarajBakkiyaraj Kannan | Passion StudiosThe RouteG Squad | Filming |
| Kaithi 2 | TBA | Lokesh Kanagaraj | Lokesh KanagarajS. R. Prabhu | Dream Warrior PicturesKVN Productions | Pre-production |
| Untitled Rolex film | TBA | Lokesh KanagarajKarthik Subbaraj | KVN Productions | In Development | |
| Vikram Returns | TBA | Lokesh KanagarajRathna KumarDeeraj Vaidy | Raaj Kamal Films International |
· Short films
Chapter Zero - The Origin of LCU
Chapter Zero - The Origin of LCU
Name
Chapter Zero - The Origin of LCU
Release date
TBA
Status
Post-Production
| Name | Release date | Status |
| Chapter Zero - The Origin of LCU | TBA | Post-Production |
· Additional crew and production details
Kaithi(2019)
Kaithi(2019)
Occupation
Kaithi(2019)
Films
Vikram(2022)
Films
Leo(2023)
Films
Benz(2026)
Director
Director
Occupation
Director
Films
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Films
Bakkiyaraj Kannan
Story
Story
Occupation
Story
Films
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Screenplay
Screenplay
Occupation
Screenplay
Films
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Films
Bakkiyaraj Kannan
Dialogue
Dialogue
Occupation
Dialogue
Films
Lokesh KanagarajPon Parthiban
Films
Lokesh KanagarajRathna Kumar
Films
Lokesh KanagarajRathna KumarDeeraj Vaidy
Producer
Producer
Occupation
Producer
Films
S. R. Prakash BabuS. R. PrabhuThiruppur Vivek
Films
Kamal HaasanR. Mahendran
Films
S. S. Lalit KumarJagadish Palanisamy
Films
Sudhan SundaramLokesh KanagarajJagadish Palanisamy
Composer
Composer
Occupation
Composer
Films
Sam C. S.
Films
Anirudh Ravichander
Films
Sai Abhyankkar
Background Score
Background Score
Occupation
Background Score
Lyricist
Lyricist
Occupation
Lyricist
Films
Sam C. S.Sharanya Gopinath
Films
Kamal HaasanVishnu EdavanHeisenberg
Films
Vishnu EdavanAsal KolaarHeisenberg
Films
TBA
Cinematographer
Cinematographer
Occupation
Cinematographer
Films
Sathyan Sooryan
Films
Girish Gangadharan
Films
Manoj Paramahamsa
Films
Dinesh Purushothaman
Editor
Editor
Occupation
Editor
Films
Philomin Raj
Art Director
Art Director
Occupation
Art Director
Films
N. Sathees Kumar
Films
Jacki
Stunt Director
Stunt Director
Occupation
Stunt Director
Films
Anbariv
Films
Anal Arasu
Sound Designer
Sound Designer
Occupation
Sound Designer
Films
Sachin SudhakaranHariharan M.
Films
Arun S. Mani
Choreographer
Choreographer
Occupation
Choreographer
Films
–
Films
Sandy
Films
Dinesh
Films
TBA
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Occupation
Costume Designer
Films
Praveen Raja
Films
Pallavi SinghV. SaiKavitha J.
Films
Pallavi SinghPraveen RajaEka Lakhani
Films
Dinesh ManoharanJeeva KarunyaShruthi Manjari
| Occupation | Films | |||
| Kaithi(2019) | Vikram(2022) | Leo(2023) | Benz(2026) | |
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj | Bakkiyaraj Kannan | ||
| Story | Lokesh Kanagaraj | |||
| Screenplay | Lokesh Kanagaraj | Bakkiyaraj Kannan | ||
| Dialogue | Lokesh KanagarajPon Parthiban | Lokesh KanagarajRathna Kumar | Lokesh KanagarajRathna KumarDeeraj Vaidy | |
| Producer | S. R. Prakash BabuS. R. PrabhuThiruppur Vivek | Kamal HaasanR. Mahendran | S. S. Lalit KumarJagadish Palanisamy | Sudhan SundaramLokesh KanagarajJagadish Palanisamy |
| Composer | Sam C. S. | Anirudh Ravichander | Sai Abhyankkar | |
| Background Score | ||||
| Lyricist | Sam C. S.Sharanya Gopinath | Kamal HaasanVishnu EdavanHeisenberg | Vishnu EdavanAsal KolaarHeisenberg | TBA |
| Cinematographer | Sathyan Sooryan | Girish Gangadharan | Manoj Paramahamsa | Dinesh Purushothaman |
| Editor | Philomin Raj | |||
| Art Director | N. Sathees Kumar | Jacki | ||
| Stunt Director | Anbariv | Anal Arasu | ||
| Sound Designer | Sachin SudhakaranHariharan M. | Arun S. Mani | ||
| Choreographer | – | Sandy | Dinesh | TBA |
| Costume Designer | Praveen Raja | Pallavi SinghV. SaiKavitha J. | Pallavi SinghPraveen RajaEka Lakhani | Dinesh ManoharanJeeva KarunyaShruthi Manjari |
· Music › Soundtracks
Vikram Film Soundtrack
Vikram Film Soundtrack
Title
Vikram Film Soundtrack
Release date
15 May 2022
Length
0:15:52
Composer(s)
Anirudh Ravichander
Label
Sony Music
Leo Film Soundtrack
Leo Film Soundtrack
Title
Leo Film Soundtrack
Release date
19 October 2023
Length
0:22:57
| Title | Release date | Length | Composer(s) | Label | Ref |
| Vikram Film Soundtrack | 15 May 2022 | 0:15:52 | Anirudh Ravichander | Sony Music | |
| Leo Film Soundtrack | 19 October 2023 | 0:22:57 |
· Music › Film scores
Kaithi Background Score
Kaithi Background Score
Title
Kaithi Background Score
Release date
22 November 2019
Length
0:28:18
Composer(s)
Sam C. S.
Label
N/A
Vikram Background Score
Vikram Background Score
Title
Vikram Background Score
Release date
7 July 2022
Length
0:34:16
Composer(s)
Anirudh Ravichander
Label
Sony Music
Leo Background Score
Leo Background Score
Title
Leo Background Score
Release date
TBA
Length
TBA
| Title | Release date | Length | Composer(s) | Label | Ref |
| Kaithi Background Score | 22 November 2019 | 0:28:18 | Sam C. S. | N/A | |
| Vikram Background Score | 7 July 2022 | 0:34:16 | Anirudh Ravichander | Sony Music | |
| Leo Background Score | TBA | TBA |
Lokesh Cinematic Universe timeline(as of Leo) · Timeline
1992–1998
1992–1998
1991
1992–1998
1999
1999
1991
1999
Vikram flashback
Leo flashback
2000–2018
2000–2018
1991
2000–2018
2019
2019
1991
2019
Vikram flashback
Kaithi
Vikram
Vikram
1991
Vikram
2020–2021
2020–2021
1991
2020–2021
2022
2022
1991
2022
Vikram flashback
Leo
| 1991 | Vikram flashback |
| 1992–1998 | |
| 1999 | Leo flashback |
| 2000–2018 | |
| 2019 | Kaithi |
| Vikram | |
| 2020–2021 | |
| 2022 | Leo |
· Recurring cast and characters
Kaithi (2019)
Kaithi (2019)
Characters
Kaithi (2019)
Films
Vikram (2022)
Films
Leo (2023)
Introduced in Kaithi
Introduced in Kaithi
Characters
Introduced in Kaithi
Dilli
Dilli
Characters
Dilli
Films
Karthi
Films
KarthiV
Films
Mentioned
Inspector Bejoy
Inspector Bejoy
Characters
Inspector Bejoy
Films
Narain
Anbu Das
Anbu Das
Characters
Anbu Das
Films
Arjun Das
Films
Arjun DasC
Adaikalam Das
Adaikalam Das
Characters
Adaikalam Das
Films
Harish Uthaman
Films
Harish UthamanC
Stephen Raj
Stephen Raj
Characters
Stephen Raj
Films
Hareesh Peradi
Films
Hareesh PeradiC
Napoleon
Napoleon
Characters
Napoleon
Films
George Maryan
Films
George Maryan
Kamatchi
Kamatchi
Characters
Kamatchi
Films
Dheena
Films
DheenaC
Amudha
Amudha
Characters
Amudha
Films
Baby Monica
Films
Baby MonicaC
Commander Arun Kumar Vikram / Karnan
Commander Arun Kumar Vikram / Karnan
Characters
Commander Arun Kumar Vikram / Karnan
Films
Mentioned
Films
Kamal Haasan
Films
Kamal HaasanV
Introduced in Vikram
Introduced in Vikram
Characters
Introduced in Vikram
Escort
Escort
Characters
Escort
Films
Maya S. Krishnan
Films
Maya S. KrishnanC
Rolex
Rolex
Characters
Rolex
Films
SuriyaC
Introduced in Leo
Introduced in Leo
Characters
Introduced in Leo
Parthiban "Parthi" / Leo Das
Parthiban "Parthi" / Leo Das
Characters
Parthiban "Parthi" / Leo Das
Films
Vijay
| Characters | Films | ||
| Kaithi (2019) | Vikram (2022) | Leo (2023) | |
| Introduced in Kaithi | |||
| Dilli | Karthi | KarthiV | Mentioned |
| Inspector Bejoy | Narain | ||
| Anbu Das | Arjun Das | Arjun DasC | |
| Adaikalam Das | Harish Uthaman | Harish UthamanC | |
| Stephen Raj | Hareesh Peradi | Hareesh PeradiC | |
| Napoleon | George Maryan | George Maryan | |
| Kamatchi | Dheena | DheenaC | |
| Amudha | Baby Monica | Baby MonicaC | |
| Commander Arun Kumar Vikram / Karnan | Mentioned | Kamal Haasan | Kamal HaasanV |
| Introduced in Vikram | |||
| Escort | Maya S. Krishnan | Maya S. KrishnanC | |
| Rolex | SuriyaC | ||
| Introduced in Leo | |||
| Parthiban "Parthi" / Leo Das | Vijay | ||
· Reception › Box office performance
Kaithi
Kaithi
Film
Kaithi
Release
25 October 2019
Budget
₹25 crore (US$3.55 million)
Box office
₹105 crore (US$14.91 million)
Vikram
Vikram
Film
Vikram
Release
3 June 2022
Budget
₹120 crore (US$15.27 million)
Box office
₹400 crore (US$50.89 million)–₹435 crore (US$55.34 million)
Leo
Leo
Film
Leo
Release
19 October 2023
Budget
₹250 crore (US$30.27 million)–₹300 crore (US$36.32 million)
Box office
₹595 crore (US$72.03 million)–₹615 crore (US$74.46 million)
Total
Total
Film
Total
Release
₹395 crore (US$47 million)–₹445 crore (US$53 million)
Budget
₹1,100 crore (US$130 million)–₹1,155 crore (US$140 million)
| Film | Release | Budget | Box office | Ref(s) |
| Kaithi | 25 October 2019 | ₹25 crore (US$3.55 million) | ₹105 crore (US$14.91 million) | |
| Vikram | 3 June 2022 | ₹120 crore (US$15.27 million) | ₹400 crore (US$50.89 million)–₹435 crore (US$55.34 million) | |
| Leo | 19 October 2023 | ₹250 crore (US$30.27 million)–₹300 crore (US$36.32 million) | ₹595 crore (US$72.03 million)–₹615 crore (US$74.46 million) | |
| Total | ₹395 crore (US$47 million)–₹445 crore (US$53 million) | ₹1,100 crore (US$130 million)–₹1,155 crore (US$140 million) | ||
· Reception › Box office performance
Kaithi
Kaithi
Film
Kaithi
Rotten Tomatoes
100% (7/10 average rating) (7 reviews)
Vikram
Vikram
Film
Vikram
Rotten Tomatoes
59% (5.6/10 average rating) (17 reviews)
Leo
Leo
Film
Leo
Rotten Tomatoes
82% (6.7/10 average rating) (11 reviews)
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes |
| Kaithi | 100% (7/10 average rating) (7 reviews) |
| Vikram | average rating) (17 reviews) |
| Leo | average rating) (11 reviews) |
References
- The murder happens a couple of months after the drug bust in Trichy, shown in Kaithi.
- As seen at the end of Leo.
- In Leo, Dilli is mentioned by Napoleon during an interaction with Parthiban.
- In the opening of Kaithi, Inspector Bejoy, portrayed by Narain, queries Ajaz Ahmad if there is any information about the
- Leo's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹595 crore (Box Office India) – ₹615 crore (Deccan Chronicle).
- India Todayhttps://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/vikram-s-lokesh-cinematic-universe-1974355-2022-07-11
- The Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-reveals-the-idea-of-a-cinematic-universe/articleshow/92175231.cms
- Cinema Expresshttps://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/features/2022/jun/03/a-ghost-and-a-prisoner-one-stop-shop-for-all-things-that-might-connect-kaithi-and-vikram-31929.html
- TheQuinthttps://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/lokesh-kanagaraj-kamal-haasan-vikram-director-what-is-lokesh-cinematic-universe-lcu-suriya
- The Weekhttps://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2022/06/18/vikram-director-lokesh-kanagaraj-is-building-his-own-cinematic-universe.html
- The Weekhttps://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2023/10/28/why-lokesh-kanagaraj-s-lokiverse-is-a-smashing-hit.html
- IndiaGlitz.comhttps://www.indiaglitz.com/kamal-haasan-interview-about-vikram-part-3-suriya-cameo-role-lokesh-kanagaraj-kaithi-2-latest-update-tamil-news-315070
- Cinema Expresshttps://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2022/jun/19/narain-vikrams-stellar-response-and-box-office-numbers-are-new-to-me-32191.html
- Filmfarehttps://www.filmfare.com/news/south/lokesh-kanagaraj-on-building-the-lcu-it-all-began-with-a-narain-character-76020.html
- WIONhttps://www.wionews.com/photos/kamal-haasans-vikram-shatters-box-office-records-check-out-his-other-hit-films-497258
- The Hinduhttps://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/vikram-movie-review-kamal-haasan-steps-back-to-watch-fahadh-faasil-and-vijay-sethupathi-have-fun-in-lokesh-cinematic-universe/article65490343.ece
- DT nexthttps://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/06/04/5-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-miss-lokesh-kanagarajs-vikram
- The News Minutehttps://www.thenewsminute.com/article/lokesh-kanagaraj-confirms-kaithi-2-karthi-111369
- Firstposthttps://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kaithi-director-lokesh-kanagaraj-reveals-plan-to-expand-film-into-a-franchise-i-have-the-idea-for-both-a-prequel-and-sequel-7609941.html
- DT Nexthttps://web.archive.org/web/20220608190205/https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/06/08/anbu-hasnt-died-more-details-in-kaithi-2-lokesh-kanagaraj-in-qa
- Zee Newshttps://zeenews.india.com/tamil/movies/after-vijay-67-lokesh-kanagaraj-will-starts-kaithi-2-movie-works-397192
- Pinkvillahttps://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/exclusive-vikram-2-already-cards-kamal-haasan-clears-air-sequel-1135938
- Pinkvillahttps://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/exclusive-vijay-play-gangster-his-40s-lokesh-kanagarajs-next-might-enter-lcu-kamal-haasan-1145882
- The Indian Expresshttps://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/lokesh-kanagaraj-reveals-his-plans-for-lcu-shares-final-update-on-thalapathy-vijays-leo-2-9656026/
- The Indian Expresshttps://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/suriya-reveals-lokesh-kanagaraj-has-plans-for-a-standalone-rolex-film-8891525/
- India Todayhttps://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/lokesh-kangaraj-confirms-standalone-rolex-film-suriya-2616823-2024-10-14
- The Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-teases-fans-with-an-interesting-update-on-the-lcu-short-film/articleshow/114615776.cms
- Cinema Expresshttps://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Oct/25/first-look-of-lokesh-kanagarajs-lcu-prelude-out
- Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-confirms-that-work-for-kaithi-2-will-begin-after-thalaivar-171/articleshow/104255527.cms?
- The Indian Expresshttps://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/vijay-leo-connections-lokesh-kanagaraj-universe-8991974/
- Only Kollywoodhttps://www.onlykollywood.com/kaithi-sam-cs-talks-about-the-different-musical-approach-for-the-film/
- The Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/im-happy-to-be-the-third-music-composer-in-lcu-sai-abhyankkar/articleshow/114932012.cms
- Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/album/6S5qpNyT3ZAg7m0e2XSOqx
- "Vikram (Original Background Score) - All Songs - Download or Listen Free - JioSaavn"https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/vikram-original-background-score/F,rzIdfV5zE_
- "'Leo: Bloody Sweet' Soundtrack Album Released | Film Music Reporter"https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/10/20/anirudh-ravichander-leo-bloody-sweet-soundtrack-album-released/
- X (formerly Twitter)https://twitter.com/sunnewstamil/status/1715024816514695522
- Vikram (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)https://open.spotify.com/album/0FIP7MeIO3yqL8K6uTz3b1
- Vikram (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - EP by Ilaiyaraajahttps://music.apple.com/us/album/vikram-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1576841895
- music.amazon.inhttps://music.amazon.in/albums/B0B1CCB3L8
- X (formerly Twitter)https://twitter.com/anirudhofficial/status/1715367363049300463
- Behindwoodshttps://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/lokesh-kangaraj-directed-karthis-kaithi-original-soundtrack-released.html
- The Hinduhttps://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/breaking-down-lokesh-kanagarajs-lcu-how-the-timelines-of-kaithi-vikram-and-leo-are-interconnected/article67453488.ece
- Firstposthttps://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bigil-petta-viswasam-kanchana-3-nerkonda-paarvai-kaithi-power-kollywoods-theatrical-takings-in-2019-to-rs-1000-cr-7736851.html
- India Todayhttps://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vikram-box-office-collection-day-27-kamal-haasan-s-film-refuses-to-slow-down-1968795-2022-07-01
- Asianet News Networkhttps://tamil.asianetnews.com/gallery/cinema/vikram-movie-completed-75-days-and-latest-box-office-collection-details-here-rgpt9q
- Hindustan Timeshttps://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-s-vikram-finishes-theatrical-run-as-highest-grossing-film-ever-in-tamil-nadu-registers-record-footfall-101663821451673.html
- Box Office Indiahttps://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8249
- Deccan Chroniclehttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/181123/leo-to-sarkar-top-10-highest-grossing-tamil-films.html
- www.rottentomatoes.comhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kaithi
- www.rottentomatoes.comhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vikram
- www.rottentomatoes.comhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leo_2023_2