Leo | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
Written by |
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Based on | A History of Violence by David Cronenberg[1] |
Produced by |
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Starring | Vijay Sanjay Dutt Arjun Sarja Trisha |
Cinematography | Manoj Paramahamsa |
Edited by | Philomin Raj |
Music by | Anirudh Ravichander |
Production company | |
Distributed by | see below |
Release date |
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Running time | 164 minutes[2] |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Budget | ₹250–300 crore[3][4] |
Box office | est. ₹595–620.50 crore[5][6] |
Leo (also marketed as Leo: Bloody Sweet) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film[7] directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Seven Screen Studio. The film stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Trisha, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian, George Maryan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and Mathew Thomas. It is the third instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe and is partially inspired by A History of Violence. The film follows Parthi, a café owner and animal rescuer in Theog, who is pursued by gangsters Antony and Harold Das who suspect him to be Antony's estranged son, Leo.
The film was officially announced in January 2023 under the tentative title Thalapathy 67, as it is Vijay's 67th film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced a few days later. Principal photography commenced the same month in Chennai along with a sporadic schedule in Kashmir, which was again followed by another schedule held at the former location, and wrapped by mid-July. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and editing by Philomin Raj.
Leo was released worldwide on 19 October 2023 in standard and IMAX formats to mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Vijay's performance, technical aspects and the action sequences while the writing received criticism. It set several box office records for a Tamil film, emerging as the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023,[5][8][9][10] the seventh highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, third highest-grossing Tamil film of all time, the highest-grossing Tamil film overseas and the highest-grossing film in Tamil Nadu.[11]
It is easily the biggest Telugu film of the year but there are two films from the Tamil industry above it. Jailer is tops at 605 crore apprx while Leo is second at 595 crore apprx.