Coolie : Director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Coolie’, starring Rajinikanth, Shruti Haasan and Sathyaraj, is a template revenge thriller that takes more detours than it should. Keeping Rajinikanth’s charm aside, the film hardly offers anything new or substantial.
2025 has been an unusual year for spectacle films (barring a few, of course), not just in Kollywood, but across the industry. ‘Coolie’, one of the most hyped films of 2025, with an amazing ensemble cast, was marketed as what could be the next big outing this year. It had every single ingredient to make it the next pan-India biggie. Director with an impeccable record – check. Rajinikanth – check. A diverse star cast. Check.
The film spans multiple timelines and locations. Rajasekhar’s (Sathyaraj) death leaves his elder daughter Preethi (Shruti Haasan), and her two sisters struggling. His long-time friend Deva (Rajinikanth), who runs a mansion house, comes to pay his last respects, but Preethi lashes out and asks him to get out. Days later, Deva finds out that there is more to Rajasekhar’s death than meets the eye.
Enter Simon (Nagarjuna), who heads a smuggling syndicate and indulges in a lot of illegal activities. Dayalan (Soubin Shahir) is a man in command at the port where a lot of workers get exploited and killed. As Deva begins to investigate, the mystery surrounding Rajasekhar’s death draws him into the world of Simon and Dayalan. What was Rajasekhar’s job? Why was he connected to Dayalan and the gang? All these questions and more are answered over its 2-hour-49-minute runtime.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, who ushered in a new wave of filmmaking in Tamil cinema, set an impeccable record. So when the announcement about his collaboration with Rajinikanth was made, expectations skyrocketed. But ‘Coolie’ turns out to be one of his weakest efforts yet.
The film kicks off in style with an apt build-up to Rajinikanth’s entry that sends audiences into a frenzy. But as the story progresses, we are introduced to many half-baked subplots that set context in the first half, but under-explored in the bigger context.
Rajinikanth’s charisma, wit, and screen presence remain strong at 74. A single close-up of his eye is enough to energize audiences, and ‘Coolie’ leans heavily on such moments. While these elicit applause, they contrast with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s usual distinct visual style. The film includes his trademarks—old songs, music-filled fight sequences and non-linear storytelling—but this time, these elements do not resonate as intended.
The story of ‘Coolie’
Superstar Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj join forces for the first time, and fans are bursting with excitement to see what this powerhouse duo delivers. Their creation, Coolie, is now in theatres! Dive into our review to see if it lives up to the hype, whether it connects to the LCU, and all the thrills it brings to the big screen.
Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj) invents a mobile cremation system for a noble cause, but ruthless smuggler Simon (Nagarjuna) exploits it for his own gain. Tragically, Rajasekhar dies, leaving his daughter Preethi (Shruthi Haasan) and her two sisters alone. Deva (Rajinikanth), a close friend of Rajasekhar, sets out to uncover the truth, is Simon behind his death, or is someone else involved?
Who is Simon really, and what is his true business behind the facade of smuggling? Does he share a hidden past with Deva? And who exactly is Deva, with his own mysterious history? Who is Dayal (Soubin Shahir) and what is his connection with this story? How Deva confronts these truths and what he does next form the rest of the story, best experienced on the big screen.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ability to assemble a stellar ensemble is commendable, with balanced focus on Nagarjuna and Soubin Shahir.
Soubin Shahir, stepping into a role initially intended for Fahadh Faasil, delivers a layered performance rich in action and emotional depth. He inhabits the character with conviction, reaffirming his acting prowess.
Akkineni Nagarjuna’s debut as an antagonist is an intriguing shift from his romantic hero image. While he impresses in flashes, the menace promised in the promotions doesn’t fully materialise. Sathyaraj, despite limited screen time, leaves a mark with restrained and effective acting.
Rajinikanth brings charisma and charm, especially in the flashback portions as Coolie, aided by impressive de-ageing effects. His interactions with Nag and Soubin are engaging, offering fans moments to savour.
Rachitha Ram, though present briefly, benefits from a well-crafted character with a neat twist. The mansion fight, Rajini–Nag face-off, and select emotional beats stand out.
Exclusive Pre Sales Update: #Coolie Global advance hits @Rajinikanth's 'Career best' ₹183 Crore for the Opening weekend Aug (14-17) & 'Record ever' ₹110 crore aprx for the First day (Thursday) surpassing LEO!
— Cinetrak (@Cinetrak) August 13, 2025
India: ₹107.5 crore
International: $8.6 Mn
Total weekend adv:… pic.twitter.com/YcoHerCQIK
Reasons To Watch Rajinikanth’s Film
Vintage Rajinikanth is back on screen, his famous cigarette flip, sharp walks and swag that keeps reminding you who is the boss! However, the first half isn’t all about Deva (Rajinikanth). He does not get a grand introduction sequence.
Nagarjuna Akkineni as Simon is the perfect antagonist in the film. He is the perfect villain who can stand neck-to-neck with Rajinikanth throughout the film.
Soubin Shahir as Dayal brings the much-needed dark shade to the film. He makes you believe that he is that psychotic killer who is about to rule the world.
Shruti Haasan as Preethi shares equal screen space. She plays an important role in the plot twists. Her charm, glamour and acting elevate the film.
As much as the action and Rajinikanth’s swag dominate the film, the screenplay and story will keep you hooked to the screen.
Meanwhile, the climax is packed not just with action, but the famous cameo appearance of Aamir Khan. The plot twists don’t end there!
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj doesn’t just bring Rajinikanth’s swag back — he delivers an absolute banger to the big screen.
Coolie release updates: Rajinikanth film mints ₹23 crore
So far at 1 pm, Rajinikanth’s Coolie has minted ₹23 crore at the box office on Day 1.
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