Lokesh Kanagaraj unveils Chapter Zero: A new beginning for LCU
Chapter Zero, a short film, promises to be the entry point for the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), a concept that took Indian cinema by storm by merging characters and narratives across films.
Updated : October 25, 2024 07:58 PM ISTChapter Zero, a short film, promises to be the entry point for the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), a concept that took Indian cinema by storm by merging characters and narratives across films.
Chapter Zero first look
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj is on a roll! The director, who captured audiences nationwide with his groundbreaking cinematic universe, is set to take fans even deeper into his ever-expanding cinemaverse. On Friday, he unveiled the first look of a short film he created to set the stage for this universe.
A teaching exercise that led to a ‘10 minute Prelude to the Origins of LCU’. #ChapterZeroFL unlock 💥@GSquadOffl X @cinemapayyan X @LevelUp_edu @anirudhofficial @anbariv @selvakumarskdop @philoedit @ArtSathees @PraveenRaja_Off @proyuvraaj pic.twitter.com/IXhVJB3bGn
— Lokesh Kanagaraj (@Dir_Lokesh) October 25, 2024
Titled Chapter Zero, the short film serves as an entry point into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). The gritty first look, teeming with guns and bullets, is perfectly in line with the LCU’s intense, action-packed world. The caption reads, "One shot, two stories, 24 hours," and Lokesh described the project on X as “a teaching exercise that led to a ‘10-minute Prelude to the Origins of LCU.’”
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Initially intended as a filmmaking exercise in partnership with an upskilling company, Lokesh’s short film now promises a compelling introduction to the LCU, adding new layers to the stories he has carefully woven. The universe began somewhat organically in 2019 with Kaithi, which quickly made Lokesh a significant voice in Indian cinema. Though Kaithi hinted at a sequel, Lokesh surprised audiences by overlapping characters and storylines in his collaboration with Kamal Haasan on Vikram, which became a sensational hit and birthed the LCU.
Today, the LCU is one of the most coveted IPs in Indian cinema, bringing together some of the industry’s biggest stars, including Kamal Haasan, Thalapathy Vijay, Suriya, Karthi, and Fahadh Faasil.
Recently, Lokesh hinted that after completing his current project, Coolie, he would dedicate the next five years to expanding the LCU, taking it to its logical conclusion. It’s still unclear whether Chapter Zero will be released on YouTube or made available through a major streaming platform, but fans eagerly await this new chapter in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe.