🎬 Coolie (2025): Rajinikanth’s Epic Entry into the LCU

Released: August 14, 2025

Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj

Starring: Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, Aamir Khan (cameo)

Runtime: 170 minutes (proj.)

Studio: Sun Pictures

🎞️ Trailer:

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Plot & Themes

Set around a high-stakes gold-smuggling ring in Visakhapatnam, Coolie follows a police officer going undercover as a harbor coolie—only to be exposed and fatally targeted. Meanwhile, Devaraj (Deva), drawn from Chennai to investigate his friend’s suspicious death, uncovers a twisted world of weaponized inventions and vengeance.

The film weaves action, emotional core, and stylized grit into a mass entertainer built around Rajinikanth’s unshakeable presence.

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Performances

• Rajinikanth leads with iconic swagger, effortlessly balancing intensity, punch dialogue, and emotion.

• Nagarjuna, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, and Soubin Shahir round out the powerhouse ensemble, adding depth and flair.

• Aamir Khan delivers a surprise cameo that adds pan-Indian appeal.
  

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Direction, Style & Music

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film is a high-octane Tamil action drama with emotional stakes. From his cinematic universe-building work (Kaithi, Master, Vikram), Lokesh brings stylized set pieces, taut storytelling, and character energy.
The massive ₹375 crore budget includes a ₹150 crore salary for Rajinikanth and ₹50 crore for Lokesh. The scale—from filming in Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, Bangkok—underscores the film's ambition.
Anirudh Ravichander’s soundtrack, featuring viral hits like “Monica”, amplifies the emotional core and mass appeal.

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Reception & Controversies

The trailer, released August 2, created a frenzy—fans celebrated Rajinikanth’s swagger and the LCU connection.
Advance bookings crossed ₹100 crore, setting a pre-sale record in India.
However, critics and fans offered mixed reviews: praised for action and Rajini’s screen presence; critiqued for uneven screenplay in the second half.
The film’s Hindi release faced distribution concerns, going up against War 2.
It also faced piracy within hours of release but continues to dominate social media buzz with international fanfare—ticket prices soared to ₹4,500 in Chennai, and even Singapore police joined the craze with viral reels.

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Final Thoughts

Coolie is a cinematic celebration of Rajinikanth’s 50-year legacy—iconic, explosive, and emotionally resonant. Its blend of high-style action, mass appeal, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction make it a defining entry in the Indian action genre. Though it stumbled narratively in parts, the film rides on Rajini’s unmatched charisma and gravity.