‘Happy that big stars are looking at young directors’

This is Lokesh’s third film after Maanagaram and Kaithi and so far the biggest in his career. “Any technician would obviously have pressure when he walks into a big project. In fact, I was under pressure even in Kaithi and it only increased when Master began,” he says. However, Vijay broke the ice and helped Lokesh ease out on the sets. “He believes in creating a space for himself as well as others. This is what made everyone comfortable,” he adds. The director assures that Master will be a treat for Vijay fans as well as the general audience. “It will be 50 per cent Vijay’s film and 50 per cent of a film for the general audience. Master, being an action entertainer will have songs and fights that are rooted to the storyline. There will be enough and more screen space for others as well in the movie. This will be a different film in his career and that is the reason for him to agree to do this,” Lokesh tells us.

Lokesh reveals that he was initially hesitating to rope in Vijay Sethupathi to play the antagonist in Master. “Sethu heard through someone that I would like him to play the gory villain in the film. He called me up and said that he is open to doing the role because he liked Kaithi and he loves Vijay sir. I gave him a narration for 15 minutes and he liked it. There wasn’t a lot of convincing to do,” he opens up. A few promotional pictures of Master showed Vijay holding a bottle of whiskey. However, Lokesh denies the film promoted alcoholism. Quit Pannu Da song is proof of it. Moreover, you will know the reason behind why the protagonist is an alcoholic and it has been justified,” says the director.

He will be next directing Kamal Haasan in Vikram and there were reports that he would be directing Rajinikanth as well. “It is a luck that I am getting to direct Kamal sir. I cannot talk about whether or not I will be directing Rajini sir but I am happy that stars are looking at young filmmakers,” he concludes.