Lokesh Kanagaraj on Leo’s mixed reviews: ‘Will assess and consider them for Thalaivar 171’

Soon after its release on October 19, the makers of Tamil superstar Vijay’s Leo had to confront a deluge of mixed to negative reviews on social media. This despite the film doing well at the box office. Its director Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has kept himself away from media’s limelight, for the past week, has now opened up about the reviews the film has garnered. 

Lokesh Kanagaraj on Leo’s mixed reviews

Talking to a media outlet, Lokesh, who said that he had been in a place with no network coverage and had planned to wait for few more days to gauge audience’s feedback of the film, explained that he was happy that the movie is being well-received.  

Further on the mixed reviews, the Kaithi and Vikram filmmaker said that he intends to carefully assess the comments and consider them while working on his next project. Additionally, Lokesh revealed that his upcoming film Thalaivar 171, starring Superstar Rajinikanth, is scheduled to go on floors in March or April 2024

Leo’s forced LCU connection and more 

On the reasons that Leo came under flak from the critics was how the filmmaker tried to force fit the film into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Lokesh and Vijay had previously teamed up for Beast and Leo marked their second collaboration.  

Also read: Leo: 5 whistle-worthy scenes in Thalapathy Vijay, Lokesh Kanagaraj's action flick 

Vijay and Lokesh’s team-up for the LCU franchise had also been eagerly anticipated by fans. However, following its release, a number of critics and viewers expressed their disappointment with the film's screenplay, particularly in its second half. Some also noted that several prominent characters in the movie were underutilised.  

Many criticised the forced connection between Leo and the LCU, which didn't feel as organic as in Lokesh's previous film Vikram. Fans also pointed out issues with the flashback scene in the film, stating that Leo didn't quite align with what the director had promoted it to be – ‘a 100% Lokesh Kanagaraj film’. Nonetheless, Vijay's performance was well appreciated as one of the best of his career. 

Also read: Lalit Kumar reacts to Leo mixed reviews - 'We didn't expect this' 

Leo becomes Vijay’s highest grossing film so far 

As per reports, it was initially anticipated that Leo would generate a collection of Rs 40 crore on Sunday. Surpassing these predictions, the film went on to gross Rs 41.50 crore during the weekend, resulting in a total collection of Rs 181.35 crore from the country. Worldwide, the film has raked in Rs 290 crore, and is set to enter the Rs 300-crore club.  

Apart from Vijay, Leo features an ensemble cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Sarja, Mysskin, Sandy and Gautham Menon. The film was released in multiple languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.