The Man Behind Vikram's Success - Lokesh Kanagaraj
THE WEEK India|June 26, 2022
Vikram director Lokesh Kanagaraj can give a film pan-India appeal just with his script and action-packed sequences
Lakshmi Subramanian
The Man Behind Vikram's Success - Lokesh Kanagaraj

As Lokesh Kanagaraj joins the press conference, a hush descends over the room, before the silence is broken by the incessant click of cameras. His idol Kamal Haasan, who is also the hero of his latest film, Vikram, rises to welcome the director who has given him a blockbuster after six long years. Vikram grossed over 300 crore worldwide in the first 10 days of its release. All credit to Kanagaraj, 36, who conceived the story and screenplay. With the super-hit action thriller, the young filmmaker is now the latest sensation in Tamil cinema.

Kanagaraj, it is said, can give a film pan-India appeal just with his script and action-packed sequences. Despite the film's success, however, he has kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. More than success, the fear of failure has always haunted Kanagaraj. “If the film fails, it is not just me who fails, but also the technicians who worked with me, my entire team and the audience which believed in me. Even if a viewer is spending 200 for the ticket, if the movie fails it is a loss for them. If I understand this responsibility and fear failure, I feel I will be myself and can deliver,” says Kanagaraj.

This story is from the June 26, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 26, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView All
There Is A Wind Blowing Against The BJP, And It Will Only Pick Up Speed
THE WEEK India

There Is A Wind Blowing Against The BJP, And It Will Only Pick Up Speed

Interview - Akhilesh Yadav, Former Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

time-read
7 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Between hospital and home
THE WEEK India

Between hospital and home

Transitional care centres can add a lot to India's health care system

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
EFFORT VS EFFECT
THE WEEK India

EFFORT VS EFFECT

The government's attempts to ensure quality drugs is evident, but how well new policies can be monitored on the ground remains to be seen

time-read
7 mins  |
May 05, 2024
A way to let go of fear
THE WEEK India

A way to let go of fear

Accepting the use of adult diapers is a journey with various stages-denial, concealment, rejection and reluctance

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Mandeeps & a miracle
THE WEEK India

Mandeeps & a miracle

Two strangers, one deadly disease and an act of kindness. How Mandeep Mann saved Mandeep Singh, an acute leukaemia patient, by donating his stem cells

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 05, 2024
The A, B, C of cosmetic surgery
THE WEEK India

The A, B, C of cosmetic surgery

Between eight to 10 lakh cosmetic surgeries happen in India every year. Who is an ideal candidate, and what are the risks and results you can expect?

time-read
6 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Vaccines and meningitis
THE WEEK India

Vaccines and meningitis

In sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and encompassing the northern part of Nigeria, there exists a region known as the African Meningitis Belt (AMB).

time-read
1 min  |
May 05, 2024
Celebrating diversity and inclusivity
THE WEEK India

Celebrating diversity and inclusivity

As Indians battle it out in our nation's 18th general election, it is again time for voters to reflect on the \"Idea of India\"-or rather, on two duelling ideas of India that are now before us and between which the nation must choose at the ballot box.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Defendant: an Hermès handbag
THE WEEK India

Defendant: an Hermès handbag

When Hermès was hit with a class-action lawsuit last month for \"antitrust\" activities, it didn't see it coming. Most of the luxury world has all eyes on this suit, filed by two interested consumers who claim they were denied a purchase, and whether it would go to trial.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
A legacy, bound
THE WEEK India

A legacy, bound

Amal Allana's biography of her father, Ebrahim Alkazi, is as much personal as it is historical

time-read
4 mins  |
May 05, 2024