With Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj delivers a film matching Rajinikanth's stardom while also giving a story that will have audiences seated for the runtime of 2 hrs and 50 minutes
Still from Coolie
The thing about a Rajinikanth film is that there’s always the expectation of delivering something that truly does justice to his stardom. Filmmakers working with him are well aware of this responsibility. Even after 50 glorious years, Rajinikanth’s charm and charisma remain untouched—drawing whistles and thunderous applause from audiences of all age groups at the mere sight of his name on the screen. Lokesh Kanagaraj, the director of Coolie, was clearly mindful of these expectations.
Plot
Coolie follows the story of Deva (Rajinikanth) and his quest for revenge after the murder of his dear friend and brother-in-law, Rajashekhar (Sathyaraj). When Deva discovers that Rajashekhar was killed by someone connected to Simon’s (Nagarjuna) criminal nexus, he infiltrates their operations. What follows is a series of high-octane action sequences, unexpected twists, and truly clap-worthy moments.
The first half of Coolie might feel a bit slow, but Lokesh takes his time establishing the world, balancing multiple characters and subplots. The interval scene is an electrifying payoff, as the true nature of certain characters is revealed. From that point, the momentum holds steady, and you can’t wait to see what happens next.
The second half shows Rajini using not just brute strength but also intelligence and strategy, while never forgetting the raw power of a coolie. The film does not just obsess on Rajinikanth and also gives notable screentime and arcs to all other characters in the film.
Performances
Soubin Shahir, best known for his light-hearted and quirky roles, surprises with his portrayal of a cunning man who has been running Simon’s operations for eight years. He brings infectious energy to the screen, carving out his own presence even alongside legends like Nagarjuna and Rajinikanth.
Shruti Haasan plays the elder daughter of Sathyaraj, present throughout the film. While grieving her father’s death, she emerges as a strong-headed woman who takes charge of her younger sisters and stands firm in the face of the antagonist’s camp.
Nagarjuna is effortlessly stylish as Simon, the ruthless head of a smuggling and organ trafficking empire. Despite limited screen time, he leaves a lasting impression with his cold, merciless aura.
And then there’s Rajinikanth-once again proving why he continues to dominate even after five decades in cinema. From electrifying dance moves to high-energy stunts to his trademark swagger, he gets the audience rooting and cheering for him at every turn.
Technical
Lokesh Kanagaraj has been on a roll with films like Master, Vikram and Leo with a stellar box office record. He has lived up to his talents with Coolie as well. While the songs are not as memorable as Anirudh Ravichander's previous works, the background score is remarkable. The film also sees the brilliant use of the 1996 song Loyola College Laila by artist Deva at a crucial point in the film. The editing of the film could have been fine-tuned further.
The film also had a remarkable use of AI for a flashback scene 30 years in the past. The de-aging technology used for actors Rajinikanth, Upendra and Mahesh Manjrekar worked wonders and shows apt use of technology in filmmaking.
Cameos
One of the biggest talking points of Coolie was its cameos. The appearances of Aamir Khan and Upendra fueled massive pre-release buzz.
Upendra’s cameo was teased from the very beginning, and when he finally appears, he commands every frame with his silent, stoic demeanor. It’s easily one of the best-timed cameos in recent memory.
Aamir Khan’s entry, on the other hand, had been highly anticipated, but unfortunately didn’t quite live up to the hype. His character, while intriguing, didn’t add much value to the plot—unlike Suriya’s unforgettable role in Lokesh’s Vikram.
To sum up...
Coolie is definitely for you if you want to enjoy an engaging story with a strong screenplay backed by some great performances.
Star rating - 5821 (IYKYK)
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