After the disappointing responses to Leo and Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj stepped away from the spotlight. He is currently preparing for his acting debut as the lead in DC directed by Arun Matheshwaran, with no confirmation yet about his next directorial film.

Lokesh recently attended an event by Pa Ranjith's Neelam Productions. During a press interaction, he said he avoided interviews because he was busy with his next project. He acknowledged mixed criticism for Coolie and said he would try to address those issues in the future.

He also thanked audiences for supporting the film and stated that Coolie has earned more than 500 crores worldwide. This specific statement is what sparked the backlash online.

Fans pointed out that in earlier interviews, Lokesh often said that he cared more about respecting the audience's 150 rupee ticket price than celebrating box office numbers. They feel his latest comments suggest a shift from that mindset.

Many believe he is now prioritising commercial success and box office performance over audience expectations and emotional connection. They worry this could influence the type of films he chooses to make going forward.

The statement has gone viral and discussions about Lokesh Kanagaraj's changing approach continue to grow on social media.