The much-awaited Tamil action motion film of 2023 “LEO”, directed by Lokesh Kanag, continues to garner symbolic nominations among the audience. The story of the title character “Parthi / Leo”, directed by Victory Plays, is a journey from a quiet Chotu protector to a man with a violent and mysterious past. The film’s screenplay blends suspense, family emotions, and powerful action sequences. “LEO” is the third installment of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) and also shares connections with the earlier films Kaththi and Vikram. This film is inspired by David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence”, which makes its background even more interesting.
The presence of experienced actors like Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha Krishnan along with Vijay has made the film even more impressive. Superb cinematography (Manoj Paramahamsa), sharp editing (Philomin Raj), and music by Anirudh Ravichander strengthen the technical aspects of the film. Made at a cost of 250–300 crores, the film created history in Tamil cinema by grossing over ₹600 crores at the box office.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Leo (also marketed as Leo: Bloody Sweet) |
| Release Date | 19 October 2023 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Action Thriller |
| Directed by | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Written by | Lokesh Kanagaraj, Rathna Kumar, Deeraj Vaidy |
| Produced by | S. S. Lalit Kumar, Jagadish Palanisamy |
| Production Company | Seven Screen Studio |
| Running Time | 164 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Budget | ₹250–300 crore |
| Box Office Collection | Estimated ₹595–620.50 crore |
| Main Cast | Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha Krishnan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin |
| Cinematography | Manoj Paramahamsa |
| Edited by | Philomin Raj |
| Music by | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Franchise | Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) – 3rd installment |
| Inspiration | A History of Violence (2005) by David Cronenberg |
| Box Office Milestones | Second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023, third all-time, highest overseas |
Leo Story
“Leo” is a Tamil action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film is the third installment of the “Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU)”. The story of the film is based on a peace-loving man named Parthiban, who lives a simple life with his wife and daughter in a small town in Himachal Pradesh. But one day his life turns upside down when some goons attack his coffee shop and he turns violent to protect himself and his family.
This side of Parthiban makes the media and the police suspect him to be a dreaded gangster named “Leo Das”, who had been killed earlier. This suspicion leads to the unraveling of his past. The twist in the story comes when “Antony Das” played by Sanjay Dutt and “Harold Das” played by Arjun bump into Parthiban. They recognize him and try to drag him back to his old criminal life.
The film is a perfect blend of thrilling action, emotional drama and thrill. Vijay’s performance is strong and Anirudh Ravichander’s music makes the story even more impressive. The film not only shows a person’s battle with his identity and past, but also shows to what extent a person can go to protect his family.
“Leo” was a huge success at the box office and became one of the biggest Tamil films of the year 2023.
Movie Review
“Leo” is a cinematic gem that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish. This thriller is a perfect blend of a thrilling story, strong acting and brilliant direction, making it an unmissable experience not only for cinema lovers but also for the general audience.
The story revolves around a mysterious and talented codebreaker, played by Thalapathy Vijay to great effect. The story is set against the backdrop of World War II, where Vijay’s character tries to break an unbreakable code of the enemy. The film blends historical events and the genre of spy thriller in such a way that it surprises the audience at every turn.
Performances of the lead actors
Thalapathy Vijay has once again proved that he is one of the biggest stars of cinema. His acting, new hairstyle, and powerful action sequences are a visual treat for the audience. His dialogue delivery and expressions reflect the depth of his character very well.
Trisha has also performed brilliantly in a complex but memorable supporting role. His and Vijay’s chemistry is a highlight of the film. Sanjay Dutt has done a great job as the villain; his screen presence and menacing demeanor impresses the audience.
Other actors like Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon (as a forest ranger), Mysskin, Anurag Kashyap, Priya Anand, and Madonna Sebastian have also brought life to their characters.
Technical aspects
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s vision is commendable. He has given a new depth to the script of the film by connecting it to his cinematic universe. Though the pace of the story slows down a bit in the second half, the twists and climax balance it out.
Anirudh Ravichander’s background music is very impressive and gives new energy to many scenes of the film. Cinematography is done by Manoj Paramahamsa, which looks great especially in the night shots. The action direction (Anbariv) and VFX are also top-notch – especially the ‘hyena sequence’ and the ‘coffee shop battle’ are worth watching.
Production Values
The production of the film is quite lavish, as expected from a star-studded film. The art direction and set design aptly set the atmosphere of the film.
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
“Leo” is a great themed film that offers a blend of entertainment, fun, and action. Thalapathy Vijay’s amazing acting, Lokesh Kanagraj’s skillful direction, and Anirudh’s brilliant music make for a memorable cinematic experience. The story of the film surprises the audience at every turn and keeps them hooked till the end. The pace may be a little slow in some parts, but its technical quality, the performance of the actors and the thrilling action sequences completely hide its weaknesses. “Leo” is definitely a film worth watching on the big screen, which should not be missed.
