Benz (film)
| Benz | |
|---|---|
 Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Bakkiyaraj Kannan |
| Screenplay by | Bakkiyaraj Kannan |
| Story by | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Dinesh Purushothaman |
| Edited by | Philomin Raj |
| Music by | Sai Abhyankkar |
Production companies |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Benz is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, who co-wrote the film with Lokesh Kanagaraj. Produced by Passion Studios, The Route and G Squad, it is the fourth instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) and the first one not directed by Lokesh. The film stars Raghava Lawrence in the titular role, alongside Nivin Pauly and Samyuktha.
The film was officially announced in April 2024, and its inclusion in the LCU was announced that October. Principal photography began in May 2025. The music was composed by Sai Abhyankkar, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Dinesh Purushothaman and Philomin Raj, respectively.
Cast
[edit]- Raghava Lawrence as Benz
- Nivin Pauly as Walter
- Samyuktha
Production
[edit]In September 2022, two months after the release of Gulu Gulu, it was reported that director Rathna Kumar would collaborate with actor Raghava Lawrence for a potential project and Lokesh Kanagaraj, whom Kumar had earlier worked with in Master (2021) and Vikram (2022), was reported to have written the script.[1] Following the release of Rudhran in early 2023, Lawrence confirmed that he would be appearing in a film to be directed by Kumar and produced and written by Lokesh.[2]
On 14 April 2024, coinciding with the occasion of Tamil New Year, Lokesh officially announced his second production after Fight Club (2023) under his G Squad banner, which co-produced it with Sudhan Sundaram and Jagadish Palanisamy under Passion Studios and The Route banners respectively.[3][4] The film was titled Benz with Lawrence in the lead role.[5][6] It was revealed to be co-written and directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, and Lokesh was credited as the story writer,[7][8] though he also contributed to the screenplay.[9] Editor Philomin Raj, cinematographer Goutham George, art director Jacki and publicity designer Amudhan Priyan were revealed as part of the technical crew,[10] although Dinesh Purushothaman later took over cinematography.[11] In early August 2025, Lokesh revealed that though he wrote the story five years before, it could not materialise further. After casually mentioning the project to Sudhan and Jagadish, he was inspired to incorporate it into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), give someone else directorial duties and finalised Bakkiyaraj, who he had known for directing Sulthan (2021). This is the first LCU film not directed by Lokesh.[12]
Principal photography began on 12 May 2025 in Chennai,[13][14] and Samyuktha was announced as the lead actress the next day.[15] On 4 June, through a promo video, Nivin Pauly was announced to be part of the cast, appearing in dual roles with one of the roles named Walter, the main antagonist.[16] Nivin later revealed that he was initially offered a different role, but the makers later decided to cast him as the antagonist instead after discussions with Lokesh.[17][18] The first schedule was completed on 10 June 2025.[19] By the middle of the following month, the second schedule had been completed.[20] On 16 October, Nivin Pauly, through his social media handle announced that he had begun shooting for the film.[21] On 26 October, Bakkiyaraj posted a photograph of Das & Co, a fictional factory that features in the LCU film Leo (2023), leading to speculation about the connection between Leo and Benz.[22] On 22 November, Nivin announced that he had completed filming his portions in his first schedule.[23] In January 2026, he revealed that a 35-day schedule was still pending.[24] A month later, Samyuktha said the film would feature cameos by multiple characters from previous LCU films, both in person and vocal.[25]
Music
[edit]The music is composed by Sai Abhyankkar, previously an independent musician. It was the first feature film he signed.[26][27] The audio rights were purchased by Think Music India.[10] "Benz In The Universe Theme" was released on 5 November 2024.[28][29] In March 2025, Abhyankar revealed that 7 or 8 songs were being planned for the film, with one already complete.[30]
Marketing
[edit]On 29 October 2024, coinciding with Lawrence's birthday, Lokesh released a glimpse-video confirming Benz as the latest addition to the LCU after Kaithi (2019), Vikram and Leo. The video features Lokesh welcoming Lawrence to the LCU, followed by the actor shown as a chef holding a gun in one hand with blood stains all over his white dress.[31][32] Again, coinciding with his birthday in October 2025, a poster with a new look of Lawrence was released.[33]
Release
[edit]Home media
[edit]The post-theatrical streaming rights have been acquired by Netflix.[34]
References
[edit]- ^ "Rathna Kumar to direct Raghava Lawrence in his next; Lokesh Kanagaraj takes the responsibility". The Times of India. 16 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj to produce Raghava Lawrence's next with Rathna Kumar". Cinema Express. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Sundar, Anusha (14 April 2024). "Lokesh Kanagaraj's second production venture titled Benz, Raghava Lawrence to star as lead". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj to produce Raghava Lawrence's next". Cinema Express. 14 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj Joins Forces With Raghava Lawrence For His Next Production Venture Benz. See POST". Times Now. 14 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj Announces His Next Production Venture, Benz, With Raghava Lawrence". News18. 15 April 2024. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "'Remo' director Bakkiyaraj Kannan's next with Raghava Lawrence titled 'Benz'". The Times of India. 14 April 2024. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Bhattacharya, Trisha (14 April 2024). "'Benz': Lokesh Kanagaraj announces new film with Raghava Lawrence". India Today. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ அடுத்த Superstar Vijay-யா.? - Raghava Lawrence Breaking Interview | Lokesh | LEO | Chandramukhi 2 [Is Vijay the next Superstar?] (in Tamil). Rednool. 30 August 2023. Event occurs at 6:15. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Think Music India (5 November 2024). Benz — Announcement Promo | Raghava Lawrence | Lokesh Kanakaraj | Bakkiyaraj Kannan | Sai Abhyankkar. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Think Music [@thinkmusicindia] (29 October 2025). "To the one who creates, commands and conquers every frame 💥 Team #Benz wishes @offl_Lawrence sir, A very Happy Birthday ♥️" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 30 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals Benz was written 5 years ago: 'If this film does well...'". Cinema Express. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Kumar, Akshay (12 May 2025). "Raghava Lawrence's Benz goes on floors". Cinema Express. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Raghava Lawrence-Lokesh Kanagaraj's Benz officially launched". DT Next. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "LCU gets bigger: 'Benz' starts rolling with Raghava Lawrence". The Times of India. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ S, Ashwin (4 June 2025). "Nivin Pauly will face off against Raghava Lawrence in Benz". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ P, Divya (24 December 2025). "Benz: Nivin Pauly was not first offered the villain role? 'After discussing with Lokesh Kangaraj,...'". OTTPlay. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "'Benz': Nivin Pauly calls the character Walter his most brutal role; Says 'It's a bloodbath'". The Times of India. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Kumar, Akshay (10 June 2025). "Raghava Lawrence's Benz completes first schedule filming". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "Raghava Lawrence, Nivin Pauly's Benz unit has completed two schedules, says Lokesh Kanakaraj". IANS Live. 17 July 2025. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Nivin Pauly begins shooting for Benz". Cinema Express. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Johnson (28 October 2025). "லியோ + பென்ஸ்... இதுதான் LCU கனெக்ட்டா? | Leo | Benz" [Leo + Benz... This is the LCU connect?]. Puthiya Thalaimurai (in Tamil). Retrieved 29 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Nivin Pauly wraps initial schedule for Benz; shares photos from set". Cinema Express. 22 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "റോളക്സ് പോലെയൊരു വില്ലൻ ആണോ ബെൻസിലെ നിവിൻ? സിനിമയുടെ അപ്ഡേറ്റ് പങ്കുവെച്ച് നടൻ" [Is Nivin in Benz a villain like Rolex? Actor shares update on the film]. ReporterNews (in Malayalam). 22 January 2026. Archived from the original on 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ^ "Exclusive | Samyuktha on LCU Film 'Benz': 'Will Feature Other Lokesh Kanagaraj Characters; Both Voice Cameos and In-Person'". The Hollywood Reporter India. 26 February 2026. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (3 November 2024). "Sai Abhyankkar to make his debut as a composer with Lokesh Kanagaraj's Benz". Cinema Express. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Radhakrishnan, Roopa (4 November 2024). "I'm happy to be the third music composer in LCU: Sai Abhyankkar". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Sai Abhyankars Benz In The Universe Theme for Raghava Lawrences Benz guarantees goosebumps. Listen now". Radio Mirchi. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Benz In The Universe Theme (From "Benz") - Single". Apple Music. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Sai Abhyankar shares exciting updates on his upcoming biggies 'Suriya 45' and 'Benz'". The Times of India. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Kumar, Vineeta (30 October 2024). "Actor Raghava Lawrence enters Lokesh Kanagaraj's cinematic universe with Benz". India Today. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Sundar, Anusha (30 October 2024). "Benz teaser unveiled: Raghava Lawrence joins Lokesh Kanagaraj's LCU". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Kumar, Akshay (29 October 2025). "Raghava Lawrence's new look from Benz out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Kumar, Akshay (29 October 2024). "Raghava Lawrence's Benz is officially a part of LCU". Cinema Express. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
