Entertainment
Lokesh Kanagaraj Breaks Silence on Trolls Targeting Him: “When AA23 Releases, These Trolls Will Automatically Stop…”
As he prepares for his much-awaited collaboration with Allu Arjun, filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj says he is unfazed by social media trolling and is confident that AA23 will answer his critics.
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj appears to have a simple response to the growing criticism around his recent work let the next film speak for itself.
The director, who is now gearing up for his highly anticipated collaboration with Allu Arjun, has addressed the trolling surrounding him and made it clear that he is not allowing social media chatter to affect his confidence.
Lokesh has entered a new phase of his career after making his acting debut with DC, which reportedly received a positive response. But while he celebrates that milestone, the filmmaker has also found himself at the centre of increased online criticism following the response to his recent films.
Rather than treating the trolling as a source of pressure, Lokesh appears to be taking it in stride.“Even my mother sends those trolls to me. What is there to get tense about? If our work is good, people will celebrate us. If there is a mistake, we will become a troll,” he said.
The filmmaker also acknowledged that the volume of trolling has increased following the reception to his last two films.“My previous two films turned out that way, so they are posting a lot now,” Lokesh said.
However, he does not appear ready to let the criticism dictate his next move. His focus is now firmly on AA23, his upcoming film with Allu Arjun, which has already generated enormous curiosity among fans.
The collaboration between the two was officially announced by Mythri Movie Makers in January 2026. The announcement instantly became a talking point, particularly because it brings together one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars and one of Tamil cinema’s most recognisable contemporary filmmakers.
Interestingly, AA23 also faced online speculation earlier this year, with reports claiming that the ambitious pan-India project could have been shelved because of budget-related concerns. Those rumours were subsequently countered by writer Rathna Kumar, who publicly expressed his anticipation for AA23, indicating that the project was still moving forward.
For Lokesh, however, the bigger challenge may now be expectations.
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His filmography includes Kaithi, Vikram, Master and Leo, while his work has helped establish him as one of the most closely watched filmmakers in South Indian cinema. His association with the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) has also played a major role in building his reputation among action-film audiences.
That reputation has now created a different kind of pressure. Every new project is scrutinised heavily, and AA23 comes with the additional weight of Allu Arjun’s enormous fan base and pan-India popularity.
Lokesh, though, appears confident that the film itself will settle the debate.“I am doing a film with Allu Arjun, and I have confidence in it. When it releases, these trolls will automatically stop,” he added.
That statement perhaps captures the filmmaker’s current mindset better than anything else. Instead of responding to every meme, criticism or social-media post, Lokesh seems determined to concentrate on the screenplay, production and execution of AA23.
And that may ultimately be the smartest response.
Social media trends can change overnight, but a film’s reception lasts far longer. For Lokesh, AA23 could therefore become more than just another big-ticket collaboration it could be his opportunity to answer his critics without saying another word.
With Allu Arjun in front of the camera and Lokesh Kanagaraj behind it, expectations are already high. Now, the real question is whether AA23 can deliver the kind of cinematic impact that makes the trolling disappear exactly as Lokesh predicts.
