If you love Indian movies, you’ve definitely heard people talking about the “LCU”. It’s the new big thing in cinema that has everyone excited. Fans are busy connecting the dots online, and everyone wants to know what will happen next. This world is so popular, it even has a cool nickname: the “Lokiverse”.
So, what is the LCU? How are the movies connected? And what are the future plans? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This is your simple and complete guide to the Lokesh Cinematic Universe as of June 2025.
What is the LCU, Simply Put?
The LCU is a series of Tamil action movies made by director Lokesh Kanagaraj. The special thing about these movies is that they all happen in the same world and their stories are connected to each other.
The main story is a huge fight between the good guys and the bad guys. The good guys are usually tough cops or heroes wanting revenge. The bad guys are very powerful drug gangs who will do anything to protect their business. In this world, there are no pure heroes; just characters with their own good and bad sides.
The Correct Order to Watch LCU Movies
To enjoy the story properly and understand all the twists, you must watch the movies in this order.
- Kaithi (2019)
- Vikram (2022)
- Leo (2023)
Also, a 10-minute short film about the LCU’s beginning is coming soon, which you should watch before the next big movie, Benz (2025).
The Story So Far: A Simple Breakdown
Each movie tells its own story, but they become much more exciting when you see how they connect.
Kaithi (2019)
The Story: A man named Dilli, who just got out of jail, wants to meet his daughter for the first time. But a police officer forces him to help save a group of poisoned cops. For one whole night, Dilli has to fight off a gang trying to get their stolen drugs back.
How it Connects: This movie starts everything. It introduces us to the main problem (the war on drugs) and to important characters like Inspector Bejoy. The events of this night are the direct reason why the story of Vikram happens. We also hear about a mystery boss named “Rolex” for the first time.
Vikram (2022)
The Story: A secret agent named Amar is trying to find a group of masked men who are killing police officers. His search leads him to a powerful drug dealer named Sandhanam. But the real surprise is that the leader of the masked men is a legendary cop named Vikram, who everyone thought was dead.
How it Connects: This movie takes the LCU to a whole new level. It continues right after Kaithi. The story’s biggest moment is when we finally see the main villain, Rolex (played by Suriya). He declares war on all the heroes, setting up a huge future fight.
Leo (2023)
The Story: A man named Parthiban lives a quiet life running a café in a small town. When he bravely fights off some robbers, he becomes famous. This brings a dangerous gang to his door, who believe he is a gangster named Leo Das from their past.
How it Connects: This movie cleverly shows us that the LCU is bigger than we thought. It proves there are other big gangs besides Rolex’s. The connection is confirmed at the very end when Vikram calls Leo and asks him to join his team. This brings another powerful character into the main story.
The LCU Timeline: When Did Everything Happen?
The movies were released years apart, but the story happens in a much shorter time. Here’s the simple order of events:
- 1987-1991: The original Vikram and his secret team are working.
- Mid-1999: The past story of Leo Das happens.
- March 2019: The whole story of Kaithi takes place in one night.
- June 2019: The main story of Vikram happens, three months after Kaithi.
- July 2019: Rolex appears and puts a bounty on the heroes.
- 2021: The main story of Leo happens, two years after Vikram.
What’s Coming Next in the LCU?
The LCU is growing fast! Here are the exciting movies planned:
- Benz (2025): This is the next movie in the LCU. It stars Raghava Lawrence. The story is by Lokesh Kanagaraj, so we know it will be good.
- Kaithi 2: Everyone is waiting for this one. It will be a prequel, meaning it will show Dilli’s life before he went to jail and tell us why he was there.
- Leo 2: Because Leo was a super hit, a sequel is confirmed. It will show what happens after Vikram’s phone call and how Leo deals with his past.
- Rolex Film: The villain who everyone loved is getting his own movie! Suriya has confirmed that there will be a film about Rolex’s story.
- Vikram 2: This is expected to be the big finale of the current story. It will be the final fight between Vikram’s team and Rolex’s giant gang.
Interesting Facts for LCU Fans
- Fans Gave the Name: Did you know the name “Lokesh Cinematic Universe” was first used by fans online? The director liked it so much that he made it the official name!
- The Music: The exciting music for Vikram and Leo was made by Anirudh Ravichander. But the music for Kaithi was by Sam C. S., and the upcoming Benz will have music by Sai Abhayankkar.
- Box Office Power: The LCU is a huge money-maker. It is the most successful Tamil movie series ever, earning over ₹1200 crore worldwide!
Also Read – Upcoming Tamil Movies OTT Release Dates & Tamil Movie OTT 2025
Common Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I have to watch the movies in order? Yes, you must! To understand the story and all the surprise connections, watch them in order: Kaithi, then Vikram, then Leo.
2. Is the movie Master part of the LCU? No. Even though the director and actor are the same as in Leo, Master is a separate movie with no connection to the LCU story.
3. Is Rolex in Leo? No, Suriya’s character Rolex does not appear in Leo. The villains in Leo are from a different gang.
What are you most excited to see in the LCU’s future? Tell us in the comments below!