(This article is authored by Alar)

Lokesh Kanagaraj, the mastermind behind the blockbuster film ‘Leo’, has revealed some intriguing details about his magnum opus in a recent interview. The director, who has created a loyal fan base with his innovative and thrilling films, has opened up about his vision, his inspiration, and his future plans.

One of the most fascinating aspects of ‘Leo’ is the introduction of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), a concept that has never been attempted before in Indian cinema. Kanagaraj explained that he wanted to create a universe where his characters from different films can interact and coexist. He hinted that George Maryan, who played a pivotal role in ‘Leo’, will reprise his role in his upcoming films, along with some new villains and heroes. He also teased that there is a subtle connection between Vijay’s character in ‘Leo’ and Fahadh Faasil’s character in ‘Vikram’, his next film.

Another intriguing revelation that Kanagaraj made was about the flashback sequence in ‘Leo’, where Mansoor Ali Khan narrates the story of Leo Das, a notorious criminal who is believed to be dead. Kanagaraj said that this sequence was deliberately fabricated by Mansoor Ali Khan’s character, Irudhaiya Raj D’Souza, to mislead the audience and the police.

He said that he had shot some scenes that would expose the lie, but he decided to edit them out to maintain the suspense. He also pointed out that there are no bullet wounds on Vijay’s character, Parthiban, who is later revealed to be Leo Das himself.

Kanagaraj said that he wanted to explore the dual personality of Parthiban, who is a mild-mannered  by day and a ruthless gangster by night. He said that he was inspired by the comic book character Batman, who also has two identities. He said that he wanted to show how Parthiban transforms into Leo Das after the cafe fight scene, where he stops responding to his name and adopts a new persona.

‘Leo’ has been a phenomenal success at the box office, earning Rs 503 crore worldwide in its first week of release. The film has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, who have praised its gripping storyline, stunning visuals, and stellar performances. Vijay has delivered one of his best performances in his career, playing both Parthiban and Leo Das with finesse and flair.

The film also boasts of an ensemble cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha, Madonna Sebastian, Mysskin, Priya Anand, and Mathew Thomas. The film has been co-produced by S. S. Lalit Kumar of Seven Screen Studios and Jagadish Palanisamy, and features music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, and editing by Philomin Raj.