Lokesh Kanagaraj has a clear priority right now, and it is not the LCU. His next major commitment is the much-awaited film with Allu Arjun, while his interconnected universe has several big stories waiting in the wings.
That makes the situation interesting.
Lokesh Kanagaraj has already confirmed that Kaithi 2 is not shelved and will happen after the Allu Arjun project. Beyond that, the filmmaker has also spoken about Rolex and Vikram 2. In other words, the LCU has plenty of material left, but none of these films appears to be his immediate priority.
The Allu Arjun project could keep Lokesh occupied for a considerable period, especially given the scale being planned. By the time he returns to the LCU, the gap between its chapters could become quite long.
But perhaps that is not necessarily a problem.
Lokesh has the advantage of returning with films that already have strong audience interest. Kaithi 2 alone carries enormous expectations, while a standalone Rolex film has been one of the most discussed possibilities in the universe.
So rather than asking whether the LCU is losing momentum, the bigger question is what Lokesh does with it after AA23.
Allu Arjun comes first. The LCU can wait. But when Lokesh finally returns, expectations will be much higher.
