Arvind Kejriwal | కేజ్రీవాల్ ఇంటి నుంచి వెళ్లిపోతుంటే భావోద్వేగ వాతావరణం..

The economics of filmmaking have become increasingly complex. A decade ago, even a moderately successful film at the box office could turn a profit. Today, that margin has narrowed significantly. Many films labeled as “super hits” by the media still struggle financially due to extended shooting schedules or escalating budgets.

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s approach to filmmaking stands out in this challenging environment. Originally working in a bank before entering the film industry, Lokesh has built his career on careful planning and efficient execution. His latest project, Coolie, features a star-studded cast including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, and Upendra. Despite the large scale and ensemble, Lokesh wrapped the shoot in just 140 days.

Nagarjuna even praised Lokesh for saving Sun Pictures around five crores by managing the budget well—praise that is rare from a leading actor. While many producers budget for 10–30% overshoots anticipating delays, Lokesh consistently finishes early and under budget, changing the usual narrative.

His track record demonstrates this efficiency: Maanagaram took 45 days, Kaithi was shot entirely at night over 62 nights, Master completed in 129 days, Vikram in 110 days, Leo in 125 days, and Coolie in 140 days. In contrast, many medium-budget Telugu films today take 150–180 days to shoot.

Lokesh manages to deliver high-quality films quickly, maintaining technical excellence without compromising polish. This raises questions about the rest of the industry—can other filmmakers adopt faster schedules without losing quality? Should they?

In an industry where only a few films turn a profit, cutting down on unnecessary delays might be essential for survival. Lokesh’s outsider background—without industry baggage or fixed mindsets—could be a key factor behind his efficiency. If Coolie succeeds at the box office, it will reinforce the idea that speed and scale can coexist without sacrificing quality.

While not every director can or should emulate this approach, especially for projects requiring more time, Lokesh’s success highlights the benefits of streamlined production. As budgets balloon and schedules extend year after year, his method offers a refreshing example that tight management and creative magic can go hand in hand.