The Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) is poised for further expansion with the upcoming film Benz, starring Raghava Lawrence. Directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan and co-written by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Benz is generating significant buzz as the fourth official installment in the interconnected LCU franchise.
Adding to the anticipation, recent hints suggest that Malayalam star Nivin Pauly may be joining the cast as the film's antagonist. A cryptic social media post from G Squad, the creative team behind Benz, teased the reveal of the villain with the message: "You are 'N'ot Ready for this. That's it. That's the clue. #BenzCastReveal Tomorrow.” This sparked speculation among fans, with many interpreting the emphasis on the letter 'N' as a nod to Nivin Pauly. The official announcement regarding the villain's identity is expected on June 4, 2025.
If confirmed, this role would mark Nivin Pauly's most prominent role in Tamil cinema and place him among the formidable villains of the LCU. Nivin Pauly, known for his roles in films like Premam, Bangalore Days, and Action Hero Biju, has recently undergone a physical transformation, hinting at a possible shift towards more action-oriented roles.
Benz features Raghava Lawrence in the lead role, with Samyuktha as the female lead. Sai Abhyankkar, known for his work as a composer, will be making his debut as a music director with this film.
Directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, known for Remo and Sulthan, Benz is co-written by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Principal photography for the film began on May 12, 2025, in Chennai. The technical crew includes cinematographer Goutham George, editor Philomin Raj, and art director Jackie.
The inclusion of Benz in the LCU was officially announced in October 2024. A glimpse video released by Lokesh Kanagaraj featured Lawrence as a chef holding a gun, hinting at the film's action-packed nature.
Nivin Pauly has several other projects in the pipeline, including Baby Girl, Dolby Dineshan, Dear Students, and Multiverse Manmadhan. Multiverse Manmadhan is touted as India's first multiverse superhero film.
