Wikipedia

Draft:Benz (upcoming film)

Benz
Directed byBakkiyaraj Kannan
Screenplay by
Story byLokesh Kanagaraj
Produced by
  • Sudhan Sundaram
  • Jagadish Palanisamy
  • Lokesh Kanagaraj (presenter)
Starring
CinematographyGoutham G
Edited byPhilomin Raj
Production
companies
  • Passion Studios
  • The Route
  • G Squad
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Benz is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Lokesh Kanagaraj, and produced by Passion Studios, The Route and G Squad. The film stars Raghava Lawrence in the titular role. It is the fourth installment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU).[1][2]

The film was officially announced in April 2024, and its inclusion in the LCU was announced the following October. Principal photography is yet to commence. The film has cinematography handled by Goutham G and editing by Philomin Raj.[3]

Cast

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Production

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Development

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After the release of Gulu Gulu in mid 2022, it was reported that director Rathna Kumar would be joining hands with Raghava Lawrence. Lokesh Kanagaraj, whom Kumar had earlier worked with in Master (2021) and Vikram (2022), was reported to have written the script.[4] That November, the actor who missed the opportunity to portray Sandhanam in Vikram, which was later given to Vijay Sethupathi, would be collaborating with Lokesh as an antagonist for Kaithi 2.[5][6] Following the release of Rudhran in early 2023, Lawrence confirmed that he would be uniting with Lokesh for a project.[7] A horror film directed by Kumar and starring Nayanthara was reported to commence, while the director stated the project was under talks.[8] However, soon after, it was reported that Nayanthara opted out of the project, due to unavailabilty of dates.[9]

After the success of Leo in late 2023, it was reported that Lawrence was approached by Lokesh to play the antagonist in Coolie (2025); however, the actor soon after denied the reports.[10][11] On 14 April 2024, coinciding with the occasion of Tamil New Year, Lokesh officially announced his second production after Fight Club (2023)[12] under his G Squad banner[13] along with Sudhan Sundaram and Jagadish Palanisamy under Passion Studios and The Route banners respectively.[14] The title of the film was revealed to be Benz[15] with Lawrence in the lead role, making their maiden collaboration with Lokesh.[16][1] The film is co-written and directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan[17] who is known for Remo (2016) and Sulthan (2021) with the story being written by the presenter of the film, Lokesh himself.[2][18][19] The technical crew comprises of Lokesh's frequent collaborator Philomin Raj as the editor, Goutham G as the cinematographer and Amudhan Priyan as publicity designer.[3]

Casting

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After the announcement of Benz, in late June 2024 it was reported that S. J. Suryah and Fahadh Faasil would be playing the antagonist roles in the film, marking Lawrence and Suryah's second collaboration after Jigarthanda DoubleX (2023).[20] Later in late September 2024 it was rumoured that Priyanka Mohan was approached to play the female lead.[21]

Filming

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Principal photography is yet to commence.

Marketing

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On 29 October 2024, coinciding with Lawrence's birthday,[22] Lokesh released a glimpse-video thereby confirming Benz as the latest and fifth addition to his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) after Kaithi (2019), Vikram and Leo.[23] The glimpse-video featuring Lokesh welcoming Lawrence to the LCU followed by the actor playing a chef holding a gun in one hand with blood stains all over his white dress was released.[24][25]

Release

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The post-theatrical streaming rights have been purchased by Netflix.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b "'Ben Z': Lokesh Kanagaraj to produce Raghava Lawrence's next". The Hindu. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Lokesh Kanagaraj to produce Raghava Lawrence's next". Cinema Express. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b Lokesh Kanagaraj [@Dir_Lokesh] (29 October 2024). "A warrior with a cause is the most dangerous soldier 🔥 Welcome to the universe @offl_Lawrence master 💥💥 Wishing you a very Happy Birthday 🤗❤️" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 October 2024 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Rathna Kumar to direct Raghava Lawrence in his next; Lokesh Kanagaraj takes the responsibility". The Times of India. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Thalaivar 171: Rajinikanth, Lokesh Kanagaraj's film to have THIS actor-filmmaker in the antagonist's role?". OTTPlay. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Raghava Lawrence to grab the missed opportunity with Lokesh Kanagaraj through 'Kaithi 2'". The Times of India. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  7. ^ Dhiviyarajan (15 April 2023). "லோகேஷ் கனகராஜ் பட வாய்ப்பை நிராகரித்ததற்கு இது தான் காரணம்.. லாரன்ஸ் ஓபன் டாக்". Cineulagam (in Tamil). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Nayanthara & Lawrence in Rathna Kumar's horror movie". The Times of India. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Has Nayanthara opted out from Leo director Lokesh Kanagaraj's movie?". OTTPlay. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Thalaivar 171: Will Raghava Lawrence lock horns with Rajinikanth in Lokesh Kanagaraj's directorial?". The Times of India. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  11. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (5 November 2023). "Lawrence shuts down Thalaivar 171 rumours". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  12. ^ "லோகேஷ் கனகராஜ் கதையில் ராகவா லாரன்ஸ் நடிக்கும் 'பென்ஸ்'". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj's second production venture titled Benz, Raghava Lawrence to star as lead". OTTPlay. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  14. ^ "லோகேஷ் கனகராஜ்ஜின் அடுத்த படம் 'பென்ஸ்'-ஹீரோ யார் தெரியுமா?". Zee News (in Tamil). 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj Announces His Next Production Venture, Benz, With Raghava Lawrence". News18. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj Joins Forces With Raghava Lawrence For His Next Production Venture Benz. See POST". Times Now. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  17. ^ "'Remo' director Bakkiyaraj Kannan's next with Raghava Lawrence titled 'Benz'". The Times of India. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  18. ^ "'Benz': Lokesh Kanagaraj announces new film with Raghava Lawrence". India Today. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Raghava Lawrence To Enter Lokesh Cinematic Universe? What We Know". News18. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Benz: Fahadh Faasil, SJ Surya to join Raghava Lawrence in upcoming film produced by Lokesh Kanagaraj; Report". Pinkvilla. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Priyanka Mohan to pair up with Raghava Lawrence in 'Benz'". The Times of India. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  22. ^ nithya (30 October 2024). "റോളക്സിന്റെ എതിരാളിയോ ചങ്കോ ? എൽസിയുവിൽ 'ബെൻസും', വന്‍ പ്രഖ്യാപനവുമായി ലോകേഷ്". Asianet News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  23. ^ "#LCU-வில் ராகவா லாரன்ஸ் | வீடியோ வெளியிட்டு 'Benz'படக்குழு அறிவிப்பு!". News7 (in Tamil). 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Actor Raghava Lawrence enters Lokesh Kanagaraj's cinematic universe with Benz". India Today. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Benz teaser unveiled: Raghava Lawrence joins Lokesh Kanagaraj's LCU". OTTPlay. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  26. ^ Kumar, Akshay (29 October 2024). "Raghava Lawrence's Benz is officially a part of LCU". Cinema Express. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
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