Lokesh Cinematic Universe
{{Infobox media franchise
| italic_title = no
| title = Lokesh Cinematic Universe
| creator = Lokesh Kanagaraj
| origin = Kaithi (2019)
| owner = Raaj Kamal Films InternationalDream Warrior PicturesSeven Screen Studio
| years = 2019–present
| films = 
| soundtracks = {{ubl|Kaithi (soundtrack)|Vikram (soundtrack)|Leo (soundtrack)}}
| color = Brown
| otherlabel1 = Budget
| otherdata1 =  ₹395–₹445 crore (3 films)
| otherlabel2 = Box office
| otherdata2 =  1083-1148 crore (3 films)
}}

The Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) also known as the Loki Cinematic Universe or Lokiverse, is an Indian media franchise and shared universe of Tamil-language action thriller films created by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The first feature of the universe Kaithi was released in 2019, while the second installment Vikram was released on 3 June 2022 and third installment Leo was released on 19 October 2023. The universe follows an elaborate conflict between law enforcement officers and vigilantes in South India who are at war against dangerous drug cartels led by powerful crime lords. It is currently the highest grossing Tamil film franchise. Development 
Lokesh Kanagaraj has stated that he wanted to do a shared universe of films since finishing his first feature film, Maanagaram. He stated that these kind of films have longevity. During the production of Kaithi, he had the idea and experimented with it, by having many open-ended plotlines in Kaithi, which he then incorporated in Vikram, by working together with Dream Warrior Pictures and Raaj Kamal Films International, as they own the properties. He established a shared universe and has announced that more projects will be releasing in the future, that will be set in it. Though the name "Lokesh Cinematic Universe" was coined by fans, post the release of Vikram, he accepted it as the official name of the universe. Other names for the franchise include the Loki Cinematic Universe and Lokiverse, as Loki is his nickname. Narain and George Maryan are the only actors to have reprised their roles in multiple films in the universe in major capacities. Karthi and Kamal Haasan have reprised their roles as Dilli (in Vikram) and Vikram (in Leo) respectively as voice-only cameo appearances. Films 

 Kaithi (2019) 

Following a drug bust of 900 kgs of cocaine in Trichy by a special team led by Inspector Bejoy, several cops are poisoned at a party by the gang attempting to recover the loot. With the assistance of an ex-convict named Dilli, Bejoy sets out to transport the poisoned cops to the hospital and foil the efforts of the gang who are assisted by corrupt narcotics official Stephen Raj in recovering the loot. Dilli is blackmailed into assisting Bejoy in exchange for meeting his daughter. The duo achieve their mission while evading the gang members headed by Anbu and Adaikalam chasing them. The first installment of the LCU, it stars Karthi in the lead role, along with Narain, Arjun Das, Harish Uthaman, George Maryan and Dheena in pivotal roles. Vikram (2022) 

Amar is a black ops agent who investigates murders committed by a masked group of vigilantes whose victims include Stephen Raj, ACP Prabhanjan and his seemingly harmless foster father Karnan, but a tangled maze of clues soon leads him to the drug kingpin named Sandhanam, who runs the biggest drug syndicate in Chennai. Eventually, it is revealed that Karnan is alive and is former Black Ops Commander Vikram, leading the group of vigilantes that include Bejoy. Vikram, Amar, and Bejoy join forces to destroy Sandhanam's syndicate. The second installment in the LCU stars Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil with Kalidas Jayaram, Narain and Chemban Vinod Jose in supporting roles. Suriya made his first appearance in the LCU in a cameo role as Rolex. The film is a spiritual successor of Vikram (1986). Leo (2023) 

Parthiban alias Leo Das is a former gangster turned cafe owner who has to face his past enemies to protect his family. After eliminating his past enemies and destroying their Datura factory, Leo is invited by Agent Vikram to join his team in the war against drugs rampant in India. The third installment in LCU stars Vijay in the title role, alongside Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priya Anand and Madonna Sebastian with George Maryan as Napoleon and a voice-over cameo by Kamal Haasan as Agent Vikram. It is based on 2005 film A History of Violence, which itself was an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name. Future 

 Kaithi 2 (TBA) 
As implied at the end of Kaithi, Lokesh had planned for a sequel, which he confirmed after its release. In an interview with Subha J Rao to Firstpost, Lokesh conveyed his interest in developing the film into a franchise, stating that he had an idea for both the prequel and the sequel, which depends on the recurring schedules of the cast members. In May 2021, the film's producer, S.R.Prabhu, confirmed the sequel was in the works.Kaithi 2 is intended to be a prequel for Dilli, focusing on his character. Later, in an interaction with fans through Twitter, Lokesh explained about Anbu's return in Vikram as he was knocked out and not dead, though he had stitch marks in his jaw, due to the injuries. Following the success of Vikram, Lokesh planned to expand the scale of the sequel, with S. R. Prabhu admitting that it would be bigger than the first film. Production of the film was expected to begin in the second quarter of 2022 but was delayed as Lokesh intended to resume the project after completing Leo and a standalone film with Rajinikanth tentatively titled Thalaivar 171. Vikram 2 (TBA)
Owing to the film's success, Kamal Haasan in an interview with Pinkvilla, asserted the possibility of a sequel to Vikram, and there were also reports stating that there would be a third sequel to Vikram, which would be part of Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Leo 2 (TBA) 
In early August, it was reported that the film would have a second part, making it Vijay's first time doing a sequel. The production is expected to start in 2025 after Lokesh completes his commitments towards Thalaivar 171, Kaithi 2 and Vikram 2. Rolex spin-off (TBA)
On August 13, 2023, at a public meeting, Suriya announced that the spin-off of his character Rolex from Vikram is in development. It is expected to kick-start once Lokesh Kanagaraj Thalaivar 171, Kaithi 2, Vikram 2 and Leo 2''. Recurring cast and characters

Reception

Box office performance 
The Lokesh Cinematic Universe is currently the highest grossing Tamil film franchise. Notes

References

Action film franchises
Continuity (fiction)
Fictional universes
Film series introduced in 2019
Indian film series
Mass media franchises introduced in 2019
Shared universes