Lokesh Charged Five Times More Acting Than Directorial Debut
Industry talk is that he’s set a new kind of record, the only debut actor to demand that much for his first film.;
It’s funny how life flips sometimes. One day you’re hustling behind the camera, counting every rupee, and the next, you’re the guy everyone’s paying crores just to see on screen. That’s pretty much what’s happening with Tamil director Lokesh Kanagaraj right now. The hit director, who once started small with Maanagaram, is now stepping into the spotlight as an actor, and the buzz about his massive fee has everyone talking.
When Maanagaram came out in 2017, Lokesh reportedly earned something around ₹5 lakh. It was his first film, a modest project, and no one imagined he’d become one of Kollywood’s biggest names in just a few years. Fast forward to today, after Kaithi, Master, and Leo, the man’s name itself feels like a brand. Now, rumours say he’s charging a bomb for his acting debut, somewhere in the ₹30 crore range. Not bad for someone who started with pocket money compared to that.
Industry talk is that he’s set a new kind of record, the only debut actor to demand that much for his first film. Normally, a newcomer would be lucky to even touch six or seven figures. But Lokesh isn’t a regular newcomer, is he? His directorial track record has built him a crazy reputation, and producers clearly trust that whatever he touches turns to gold.
Money aside, it’s kind of exciting to see what he does in front of the camera. Can he bring the same intensity that he brings behind it? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, the guy’s made sure all eyes are on him. Lokesh Kanagaraj is not just making movies anymore, he’s rewriting how far a director’s name can go in the game.