Coolie (2025)
Cast: Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Rachita Ram
Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Genre: Action / Thriller
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Release Date: August 14, 2025
Intro & The Plot
Coolie arrives as a thumping ode to Rajinikanth’s enduring legacy, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and packed with more energy, nostalgia, and explosive action than any Rajini outing in recent memory. The first half is pretty much a party for die-hard fans—cheeky punch lines, dazzling dance numbers, and swagger that only the Superstar can deliver. Lokesh lays fan service thick, though it does drag a bit while introducing a sprawling cast.
But once the dust settles, the second half grabs the wheel and goes full throttle. The plot, though stuffed with ideas, centers on Deva (Rajinikanth), a boarding house owner with a mysterious past and a knack for justice. Running parallel to his backstory, we become embroiled in a smuggling ring, a sinister electric chair operation, and a quest for vengeance that pits Deva against drug lords and crime syndicates. The narrative twists and turns, sometimes at the expense of coherence, but always keeping the stakes high.
Performances:
- Rajinikanth is magnetic. Even amid convoluted subplots and uneven pacing, he brings gravitas, mass appeal, and effortless style. His big moments are pure crowd-pleasers.
- Nagarjuna as the calculating villain Simon is deliciously sinister, while Soubin Shahir and Upendra make for memorable supporting characters. Rachita Ram, surprisingly, steals a chunk of the spotlight with one of the film’s slickest action sequences.
- Shruti Haasan is impactful as Preethi, the emotional anchor and key to Deva’s mysterious past.
Direction & Visuals:
Lokesh Kanagaraj applies his flair for high-stakes action, weaving in signature cameos and Easter eggs, though the narrative sometimes gets lost in its own ambition. The supporting cast is well-etched, the cinematography is punchy, and Anirudh’s background score booms through every chase and showdown.
The Good
- Electrifying action and sharp music.
- Massive nostalgia factor for fans, with Rajini’s presence lighting up the screen.
- Fun cameos, clever set pieces, and enough twists to keep the ride interesting.
Not so Good:
- The plot gets overcrowded with ideas—some threads feel rushed or underdeveloped.
- The pacing stumbles, especially in the first half, with a tad too much time spent on introductions.
- Emotional depth occasionally gets diluted by spectacle, but Rajini’s moments shine through.
- The movie’s length of close to 3 hours can be a bit exhausting and could have easily been reduced 25 mins in editing.
Final Word:
Coolie may not be perfect, but it’s a festival of swag, nostalgia, and blockbuster entertainment, with Rajinikanth leading the march as only he can. Lokesh Kanagaraj strikes gold with action and mass moments, even if the story doesn’t always hold together. If you’re a Rajni fan, you will have a ball seeing the superstar presented in all his galory. For others, you may find it as an average affair.
Rating: 2.5/5