Mahesh Babu and Lokesh Kanagaraj meet, will they team up on a film?

Lokesh Kanagaraj, who is awaiting the release of Vikram, met Mahesh Babu during his recent visit to Hyderabad for the promotions of the Kamal Haasan-starrer. This meeting has caused quite a stir in Tollywood circles. According to sources, both had a conversation that lasted for an hour. And, Mahesh may be interested in working on this project with Lokesh Kanagaraj, if everything falls into place.

The Tollywood Superstar has, undoubtedly, become one of the most bankable actors in recent years; with his films appealing to both young people and families alike. On the other hand, director Lokesh Kanagaraj is on a roll, with back-to-back superhits to match Mahesh's incredible run. As a result, the collaboration appears to be advantageous to both.

Meanwhile, we hear Mahesh Babu turned down the offer, as he didn't like the script. However, we await an official confirmation.

For now, Mahesh Babu will soon join Trivikram Srinivas for SSMB28, which will have actress Pooja Hegde of Beast-fame, as the leading lady. Eventually, the Sarkaru Vaari Paata-actor will act under SS Rajamouli's direction, which marks their first-time collaboration.

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram, featuring Kamal Haasan in the lead, will release in theatres on June 3. In an interview with Film Companion, the Master filmmaker, said, “Vikram does not have a runtime issue, as it’s an experimental emotional action film!”

Also, according to Lokesh, it was important to pick a story that excites the person who aspires to tell it and said that the exposure of the audience to cinema has substantially increased. “We have to be very careful while telling the stories because audiences are updated. The audience today can even talk about technical aspects of cinema: they recognise a ‘drone’ shot. So, we have to tell a story engagingly so that they are not thinking about these things,” he told the Hindu, once.

Speaking about his unstoppable growth in the past four years, Lokesh Kanagaraj tells Cinema Express, "Everyone knows what has happened to my career. However, only I know the effort I put in for about four years before Maanagaram happened. It’s a total of almost eight years of work that’s paying off now, I think. Vijay sir, being the friendly presence he is, never even allowed us to realise what a big opportunity this was for us. With Kamal sir now, it feels even more miraculous. I remember standing outside Samco hotel in Alwarpet, wishing, praying for him to step out once, so I could catch a glimpse. Now, for me to be able to direct him for a film… I do pinch myself in disbelief sometimes. But there’s simply no time to dwell on these developments. Work keeps us occupied and grounded.”

Up next, Lokesh will reunite with Vijay for Thalapathy 67 (tentative title). When asked about the film's genre, the director said it will be a mix of both class and mass.