Aamir Khan And Lokesh Kanagaraj End Film Talks

The world of Indian cinema is rarely short on drama, but few stories have stirred up as much curiosity and speculation in recent months as the rumored collaboration—and eventual parting of ways—between Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and acclaimed director Lokesh Kanagaraj. The saga, which played out both on and off the screen, has been marked by box office triumphs, social media storms, and candid admissions from the filmmakers themselves.

Aamir Khan and Lokesh Kanagaraj first crossed paths on the set of Coolie, a film that marked Lokesh's directorial debut with the legendary Rajinikanth in the lead and featured Aamir in a special cameo. According to The Hindu, this brief but high-profile collaboration quickly ignited rumors that the two were planning to join forces on a much-anticipated superhero film. The buzz was so intense that fans began to imagine what such a partnership—between Aamir's celebrated versatility and Lokesh's flair for stylish, action-packed storytelling—could deliver to Indian cinema.

Fueling the excitement, Aamir Khan confirmed in several interviews that discussions were indeed underway with Lokesh Kanagaraj about a new project. As reported by Times of India, "Aamir himself confirmed that he was in discussions with Lokesh about the possibility of a new film," a statement that only heightened anticipation among moviegoers. Yet, as weeks turned into months, whispers began to circulate that talks between the two creative powerhouses might have stalled. Despite mounting speculation, neither party issued an official statement, leaving fans in suspense and the rumor mill spinning.

The first concrete sign that the much-hyped collaboration might not materialize came when Lokesh Kanagaraj announced his next directorial venture with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun. The new project, tentatively titled AA23, was also billed as a superhero film, leading many to believe it was the very script originally offered to Aamir Khan. According to Indian Express, "it began to get reported that it was the same film that Lokesh had offered to Aamir first." This development further fueled speculation that the talks with Aamir had quietly fallen through.

The air was finally cleared on January 26, 2026, when Lokesh Kanagaraj addressed the media at a press conference in Chennai. With characteristic candor, Lokesh confirmed, "Talks with Aamir have fallen off." He went on to express his admiration for the actor, stating, "I have been a big Aamir Khan fan since my childhood. We met many times and were discussing a project but things didn't materialize. But I hope to work with him at some point in future." This admission, reported by Hindustan Times, brought an official end to months of speculation and dashed the immediate hopes of fans eager for a collaboration between two of Indian cinema's most respected figures.

The story, however, doesn't end with a failed partnership. Lokesh Kanagaraj's journey in recent months has been anything but smooth sailing. Despite Coolie racking up more than ₹500 crores at the box office, the film was not spared from criticism and online trolling. As The Hindu notes, "his previous film, the Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, drew a lot of flak from audiences and critics and was also subjected to online trolling." Some speculated that the backlash led to Lokesh being dropped from a highly anticipated Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan reunion film, while others claimed that Aamir Khan had backed out of the superhero project due to the controversy—a rumor Aamir's team quickly dismissed as false.

Addressing these controversies head-on, Lokesh used his press conference to thank audiences for supporting Coolie despite its critics. He said, "The criticism made me think a lot. I understood the kind of cinema and storytelling the audience wants from me. I take all of that as lessons, and I will try my best to ensure my upcoming films don’t get such criticisms." He added, "It would be unfair to accept acclaim and reject criticism. A film is for the consumption of the audience, and if they are criticising something, we need to accept it, right?" This level-headed approach endeared him further to his dedicated fan base, many of whom have remained loyal through thick and thin.

Lokesh also spoke candidly about the dangers of pre-release hype. He explained, "My ideology is that you can’t make a film aiming for a specific box office collection. We can’t write a film saying, ‘This will collect ₹1000 crores.’ But no matter how much I told them not to, many technicians and cast members, out of excitement, spoke about the ₹1000 crores box office collection. Because of that, I am now held answerable even for a film that earned ₹500 crores." He acknowledged the need for more transparent and measured promotional strategies in the future.

Violence in cinema, a frequent topic of debate in India, was also addressed by Lokesh. He defended his films as part of the action entertainer genre, stating, "I don’t even like to call it violence; these are action films." He argued that both filmmakers and audiences share responsibility for the impact of movies, remarking, "If a two-hour film is changing you so much, then it only says that you are mentally weak. Tomorrow, you might get influenced by anything. So both sides need to be responsible."

One of Lokesh's defining features as a filmmaker has been his strong anti-drug messaging. He highlighted how, in films like Kaithi, Master, and Vikram, he uses big stars to promote a drug-free society. "I have never glorified or spoken for the consumption of drugs in any of my films," he said. Beyond the screen, Lokesh has organized anti-drug pledges and competitions, even hiring a short film competition winner as his assistant director. "I have made 15,000 students take a pledge not to touch drugs," he shared, reinforcing his commitment to the cause.

Looking ahead, Lokesh is set to make his acting debut in Arun Matheswaran's film DC, where he stars opposite Wamiqa Gabbi. He described the experience as challenging, admitting, "Acting isn’t easy. It is indeed quite difficult. I wanted to learn something new, and I knew Arun, who’s also my friend, so I thought it would be easy. But it’s not that easy. I don’t know if I will continue acting." In addition, he has a cameo in Vijay's Jana Nayagan, which is currently awaiting clearance from the censor board.

Despite the setbacks and swirling rumors, Lokesh Kanagaraj remains optimistic about his future in cinema. As he prepares for new challenges—both behind and in front of the camera—he seems determined to learn from past experiences and avoid the pitfalls of excessive hype. For now, fans can only wait and see what the next chapter holds for this ever-evolving filmmaker, and whether a partnership with Aamir Khan might one day still be on the cards.