Lokesh Kanagaraj: Actor Shri is under expert medical care, misinformation distressing

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj requests privacy for actor Shri amid concerns over his health and social media posts

Responding to the developments around actor Shri, filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has requested the public to “respect his need for privacy.” Shri has been in the news lately for allegedly posting shocking content on his Instagram handles.

Shri, who has acted in Lokesh’s debut film Maanagaram (2017), is also known for films such as Vazhakku Enn 18/9, and Onaayum Aatukuttiyum. The actor was last seen in Irugapatru (2023), produced by SR Prabhu of Potential Studios.

On April 18, 2025 (Friday), Lokesh took to social media to inform that Shri is “currently taking some time off from social media following his doctor’s advice.” He wrote, “We would like to inform all well-wishers, friends and members of the media that actor Shriram is under expert medical care. Speculation and misinformation can be extremely distressing. We urge all media platforms, both online and offline, to refrain from spreading rumours.”

“We also appeal to all media platforms to remove any objectionable content or interviews based on his current medical condition and to respect his personal space as he focuses on his recovery,” added Lokesh.

Shri’s posts, showing his drastic weight loss and physical transformation, have been a cause of worry for his fans and well-wishers. One of his posts in July even mentioned how Potential Studios, the producers of Irugapatru (2023), failed to pay him is dues.

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Responding to the developments, producer SR Prabhu had said on April 14, 2025, “It is so unfortunate that there is so much speculation forming around it. But reaching Shri and bring him back to good health will be the first priority. Would highly appreciate if anyone can help us achieve that!! (sic).”