Lokesh Kanagaraj, born on March 14, 1986, in Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, is a distinguished film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his significant contributions to Tamil cinema. His journey in the film industry began with short films, notably “Acham Thavir,” which won multiple awards at the short film festival Clubace, and “Kalam,” included in the anthology “Aviyal.”

Lokesh’s directorial debut was the critically acclaimed “Maanagaram” in 2017. He gained widespread recognition with “Kaithi” in 2019, which marked the beginning of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Following this, he directed “Master” in 2021, featuring the prominent actor Vijay, which became the highest-grossing Indian film of that year. His subsequent project, “Vikram” in 2022, starring Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil, further solidified his status in the industry.

Before his cinematic endeavors, Lokesh pursued an education in Fashion Technology and an MBA. His early career included a stint as a bank employee, but his passion for filmmaking led him to transition into the film industry, a move encouraged by director Karthik Subbaraj after recognizing Lokesh’s talent in a corporate short film competition.