Samyuktha is navigating one of the busiest phases of her career, moving between Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi cinema while taking on roles across action, period drama and mainstream commercial films.
Among her much-anticipated projects is ** Benz **, the latest film connected to the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). In an interview, the actor revealed that audiences can expect appearances from characters associated with earlier LCU films, with some making their presence felt through voice cameos and others appearing on screen.
Her comments offer a glimpse into how Benz could expand the interconnected world established through films such as Kaithi, Vikram and Leo.
Samyuktha Says Benz Will Connect With Earlier LCU Films
Samyuktha described Benz as a film in which characters from the existing LCU world will appear at different points.
According to the actor, some of these appearances will be voice cameos, while other characters will reportedly make in-person appearances. She suggested that the film will use these connections to address mysteries and unresolved elements from earlier stories.
“There are characters from the other movies coming and going throughout Benz,” Samyuktha said, describing the film as a world that is continuing to take shape.
She added that viewers may find connections to elements that were left open in previous LCU films.
The LCU currently includes ** Kaithi (2019), Vikram (2022) and Leo (2023)**, with Benz positioned as another chapter in the expanding universe.
Raghava Lawrence and Nivin Pauly Lead the Cast
Benz is described as a stylish action thriller starring Raghava Lawrence in the lead, with Samyuktha paired opposite him.
Malayalam star Nivin Pauly plays the antagonist, creating an interesting combination of actors from different South Indian industries.
The film is being directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, while Lokesh Kanagaraj has been involved as a co-writer. Samyuktha clarified that although Lokesh has co-written the project, she has not met him on the sets.
The film is being shot in and around Chennai, where the production has had to contend with increasingly hot weather.
Samyuktha Says She Has No Action Scenes in Benz
Despite Benz being positioned as an action thriller, Samyuktha revealed that she will not be performing action sequences in the film.
“In Benz, I’m not doing any action,” she clarified.
The actor’s role therefore appears to be different from some of the physically demanding characters she has taken on in other upcoming projects.
She is, however, part of a film that promises to expand one of Tamil cinema’s most closely followed interconnected narratives.
Maharagni Marks Samyuktha’s Hindi Film Journey
Samyuktha is also preparing to make her Hindi-film appearance with ** Maharagni: Queen of Queens **, a female-led action thriller featuring Kajol in the lead alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Prabhu Deva.
The project, directed by Charan Tej Uppalapati, was announced earlier but has experienced production delays. Samyuktha revealed that she has already completed a substantial portion of her work but still has considerable shooting left.
She said production delays and extended breaks can create continuity challenges, particularly when actors’ appearances need to remain consistent.
The actor last shot for the film at the beginning of 2025, according to the interview, and was still waiting for production to resume.
Working With Kajol and Naseeruddin Shah
For Samyuktha, Maharagni has also provided an opportunity to work alongside actors she has admired for years.
She spoke particularly warmly about Kajol, describing her as an actor whose personality on set matched the warmth she had expected from watching her interviews.
Samyuktha also praised Naseeruddin Shah, especially his command over performance and timing. Watching veteran actors settle naturally into their characters, she said, was an experience she found deeply rewarding.
The film also brings together technicians who have worked on major Indian productions, including cinematographer GK Vishnu, known for Jawan, and editor Navin Nooli, associated with Pushpa 2: The Rule.
A Warrior in Swayambhu
Samyuktha’s upcoming slate extends beyond Benz and Maharagni.
In the Telugu period action drama ** Swayambhu **, she plays a warrior and has undergone preparation that includes horse-riding and archery.
The actor is also set to portray a powerful police officer in the female-led Telugu action film ** Black Gold **.
Another project, ** Slum Dog **, brings her together with Vijay Sethupathi and Tabu, with Puri Jagannadh directing.
For Samyuktha, the common thread connecting these projects is not language or industry but the material itself. She explained that strong writing, compelling characters and the desire to keep improving are what attract her to a project.
Samyuktha on the Pan-India Film Trend
The actor also offered a measured view of the industry’s increasing focus on creating “pan-India” films.
In her view, filmmakers cannot simply design a movie by trying to replicate the formula of an existing nationwide success. Instead, she believes films become more capable of travelling across linguistic and cultural boundaries when they remain authentic to their own roots.
She pointed to films such as ** Lokah ** and ** Kantara ** as examples of stories whose cultural and mythological foundations helped them connect with audiences beyond their original linguistic markets.
For Samyuktha, the central idea is that filmmakers should protect the identity of a story rather than dilute it in an attempt to appeal to everyone.
More Hindi Projects Could Be on the Way
Samyuktha also revealed that she is in discussions for additional Hindi projects, with an announcement potentially coming soon.
When asked about a recent Hindi film that impressed her, she named ** Dhurandhar ** and praised filmmaker Aditya Dhar. She also mentioned enjoying Uri: The Surgical Strike and singled out the use of music in Dhurandhar as one of the aspects that stood out to her.
