Renowned filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has recently captured significant media attention, primarily due to his association with Vijay's upcoming project 'Jana Nayagan' and swirling rumors regarding his social media activity. While it is confirmed that he is indeed part of Vijay's final film, 'Jana Nayagan', the speculations about him unfollowing cinematic legends Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have been categorically dismissed by the director himself.
Lokesh Kanagaraj Refutes Claims of Unfollowing Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan
During a press conference held in Chennai on Monday, January 26, Lokesh Kanagaraj addressed and denied reports alleging that he had unfollowed Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on social media platforms. He emphatically trashed these claims, revealing that both Superstar Rajinikanth and legendary actor Kamal Haasan occupy the top positions on his following list. "There were rumors that I had unfollowed Rajini sir and Kamal sir on social media. Just look at where they are—they are at the very top. I consider it my good fortune that I, having come from a rural background, received the opportunity to work with both of them," the director stated.
These rumors gained traction following reports of his withdrawal from the highly anticipated Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan collaboration. Kanagaraj humorously highlighted the impact of such misinformation, sharing, "My mother doesn't even know what Twitter (now X) is. She has no idea what 'follow' or 'unfollow' means. Yet, she called me and asked, 'Why did you unfollow Rajini sir and Kamal sir?' This shows that people sometimes trust the media more than they trust me."
Lokesh Kanagaraj Explains His Exit from the Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan Film
At the same press event, the director opened up about his decision to back out of the film tentatively titled 'Thalaivar 173'. He elaborated on the creative differences that led to his departure from this monumental project.
Creative Differences and Project Withdrawal
"I was in discussions to direct a film featuring Rajinikanth sir and Kamal Haasan sir. Both were incredibly eager to collaborate, and this represented a massive opportunity for me, especially since it would mark their first joint venture in 46 years," Lokesh Kanagaraj explained. He further noted that he dedicated one and a half months to developing a story for the film.
"I wrote with utmost sincerity and gave my best effort to craft a script starring these two legends. I presented an action-oriented narrative, which initially excited both of them. However, they pointed out that they have been involved in numerous action films recently—including Rajinikanth sir's upcoming 'Jailer 2' and Kamal sir's project with Anbariv masters. Consequently, they expressed a desire to work on a light-hearted film together. Since I am not adept at writing that genre, I decided to step away from the project," he clarified.
Appeal for Media Responsibility
Concluding his address, Lokesh Kanagaraj urged the media to exercise greater diligence before publishing sensitive reports. "If you encounter any such sensitive information, please verify it with me or a member of my team before releasing stories. This is my humble request to ensure accuracy and avoid spreading misinformation," he emphasized.
This press conference not only dispelled baseless rumors but also shed light on the director's professional choices and his respect for the iconic actors. As Lokesh Kanagaraj continues his work on 'Jana Nayagan', his candid revelations have provided clarity to fans and the industry alike.
