Actor Rajinikanth had previously sent his wishes for the release of the Tamil film Leo, which stars Vijay in the lead and is written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Now, film's producer Lalit Kumar of 7 Screen Studios has stated in an interview that Rajinikanth called him personally and praised the film for its production value. 

While talking about how Leo was made without a budget, and how Lalit's style of working involves exceeding budgets but not compromising on the quality of the movie, the 7 Screen Studio producer said, 

"A project shouldn't be compromised. Fund-flow is different. Everyone uses a budget for doing business. I'm not like that. I finish investing the budget first and then I think about the business...And I agree I exceed (planned) budgets..

This morning Rajini sir had called. When he spoke to me he said that the production value (of Leo) is rich. I feel a sense of pride in that (notice). He (Rajinikanth) is not required to call and tell me that (but he did). He said the (Leo) film is good. Production value is also quite big, he said.

It's (the rich production value that exceeds planned budgets) is leaving a mark with everyone. I have not given a chance for anyone to point out a production flaw in the movie." 

 

Leo is the third film in director Lokesh's LCU (Lokesh Cinematic Universe) franchise after Kaithi (2019) and Vikram (2022). The movie is a gangster action thriller inspired from the graphic novel A History of Violence (1997), and has recorded the highest day 1 box office opening for an Indian film this year.