‘Coolie' cost me 2 years of life’: Lokesh Kanagaraj on his obsession with Rajinikanth’s action spectacle

“No family, no friends. Just Coolie.” That’s how director Lokesh Kanagaraj sums up the last two years of his life — completely consumed by one project and one legend: Rajinikanth.



With the mega film 'Coolie' set to roar into theatres on August 14, the anticipation is sky-high. Featuring a powerhouse ensemble Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Shruti Haasan, and a cameo by Aamir Khan the film is surely one of the highly awaited projects.


A two-year tunnel vision


In a recent interview, as reported by Filmyscoops, Lokesh got candid about the sheer intensity of his commitment. “The last two years, all I did was Coolie. No family, no friends, nothing else,” he said. For the filmmaker who’s delivered hits like Kaithi and Vikram, this wasn’t just another biggie — it was a full-blown life chapter.




He revealed that he spent his 36th and 37th birthdays not in celebration, but in complete creative isolation. He even vanished from social media for months. The reason? Absolute focus. “I didn’t want even an ounce of distraction. ‘Coolie’ deserved that level of surrender,” Lokesh added.


Beyond 'Coolie': Aamir Khan film In 2026


The Rajini-starrer also features a cameo by Aamir Khan — and that’s just a teaser. Sources confirm that Lokesh and Aamir are teaming up for a full-fledged film starting September 2026. The project is expected to blend Lokesh’s flair for action storytelling with Aamir’s emotional depth — a collaboration already generating buzz in both industries.


With 'Coolie', Lokesh Kanagaraj hasn’t just made a movie — he’s poured in a slice of his life. The result? A film that might redefine how mass entertainers are made and remembered.


Meanwhile, Lokesh Kanagaraj's previous outing was the Vijay starrer 'Leo', which received good reviews from the audience. 'Leo' also turned out to be a box office success.