Coolie Review: Rajinikanth’s Swag Shines in an Overlong Action Drama

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie (2025), starring Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Aamir Khan, and Shruti Haasan, arrives with huge expectations. Produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, the Tamil action-thriller boasts a massive cast and music by Anirudh Ravichander, but delivers a mixed cinematic experience.

The plot follows Deva (Rajinikanth), a close friend of inventor Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj), who creates a mobile cremation system. When smuggler Simon (Nagarjuna) exploits it for illegal purposes, tragedy strikes as Rajasekhar dies under suspicious circumstances. Deva begins a quest for truth, uncovering hidden connections, betrayals, and his own mysterious past.

Rajinikanth is in top form—oozing style, charisma, and energy. His de-aged sequences are executed remarkably well. Soubin Shahir impresses as a full-fledged villain, while Rachita Ram delivers a surprise standout performance. Shruti Haasan plays her role well but suffers from awkward Telugu dubbing. Nagarjuna’s antagonist lacks menace, and cameos by Aamir Khan and Upendra fail to leave an impact.

Visually, Coolie excels thanks to Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography, grand set designs, and Anirudh’s pulsating background score. The action choreography by Anbariv is another highlight, with the “Mounica” and “Chikitu” song sequences offering high-energy entertainment.

However, the film falters with its predictable revenge-drama template, sluggish second half, and underdeveloped villain arc. While Lokesh’s presentation is stylish, the screenplay is commercially safe rather than inventive. The climax feels underwhelming, and excessive runtime hampers pacing.

Verdict: Coolie thrives on Rajinikanth’s magnetic screen presence, superb music, and a few well-staged action scenes. Unfortunately, a routine storyline and stretched narrative keep it from being a blockbuster. Recommended only for Thalaivar fans and those seeking style over substance.