Cinematic worlds might have gained popularity in the present generation through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Extended Universe (DCEU) but its history goes back to the vintage era of movies. In the 1930s and 40s, Universal had created a crossover universe of sorts with movies like Frankenstein and The Mummy, which were collectively called Universal Monsters. This was tried by Universal again with the 2017 The Mummy but failed. Other universes like Monsterverse soon came up in the last decade.
In Indian cinema, the concept is still new but is gradually being adapted with Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, Yashraj Spy Universe and the Lokesh Cinematic Universe. The Lokesh Cinematic Universe, created by Lokesh Kanagaraj does not just consist of the three films directed by him (Kaithi, Vikram and Leo) but also the 1986 film Vikram technically. Even the film Master which is not part of the LCU had touches of the cinematic universe.
Now that Leo has been released, it is reminiscent of his previous films depicting drug deals, bundles of cash, late-night chase scenes, and catchy background music, typical of LCU films. Vikram, also featured Narain, a police officer, and Arjun Das as a drug trafficker, both reprising their roles from Kaithi.
However, audiences are not content with the characters reprising their roles from earlier LCU films in Leo. George Maryan and Maya S Krishnan have made cameo appearances in Leo, reprising their earlier roles from LCU.
Fans feel that their presence in the film does not add strength to the narrative and the connection to the previous films is more of a forced thing in Leo. After killing the thugs who came to Parthiban’s cafe in Leo, his picture was shown on the news, which caused turmoil in his life. He manages to persuade Napoleon, fresh off the events of Kaithi, to safeguard his family. Parthi’s coffeehouse is also visited by an unnamed escort (Maya S Krishnan), who has likely joined Vikram’s group of spies. These were the only connections to the LCU.
In the end, Leo, played by Thalapathy Vijay receives a call from Vikram (Kamal Haasan) who lends just his voice for the film. Fans believe it would have been better if Kamal Haasan had a cameo too, the way Suriya did in Vikram.
A report is doing the rounds that Lokesh Kanagaraj was planning to cast Karthi as Dilli in the film but Vijay refused, after which the character of Mansoor Ali Khan was created. However, this is not confirmed.
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