Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj revealed that his decision to step into film production was inspired by a key lesson from Kamal Haasan. Speaking at the pre-release event of 29, Lokesh said he learned the importance of reinvesting earnings back into cinema, a principle he picked up while collaborating with the veteran actor. He expressed gratitude to fans for elevating him to a position where he could now support meaningful projects and emerging talent.
Lokesh is co-producing 29, directed by Rathna Kumar, under his G Squad banner along with Karthik Subbarajâs Stone Bench Films. The film, starring Vidhu and Preethi Asrani, is a romantic drama set in a pre-dating app era and is slated for release on May 8. He also voiced strong confidence in Rathna Kumar, urging audiences to extend the same support to 29 as they have shown his own films, calling it a heartfelt and relatable story.
Meanwhile, Rathna Kumar addressed concerns over the filmâs box office clash with other releases like Kara and Karuppu, admitting that he was initially worried about the competition. However, he later expressed confidence in the filmâs content, stating that strong storytelling would ultimately find its audience despite the crowded release window. The director maintained that while clashes can be challenging, they also reflect a healthy and competitive phase for Tamil cinema, with multiple films aiming to connect with diverse audiences.