Director & Story Writer: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Producers: Kalanithi Maran
Banner: Sun Pictures
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematography: Girish Gangadharan
Editor: Philomin Raj
Art Director/Production Designer: Sathees Kumar
Lyrics: Vishnu Edavan
Costume Design: Anu Vardhan (noted in crew lists)
Stunt Choreography: Anbariv
Dance Choreography: Dinesh
Filmycycle.com: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ( out of 5)
Release Date: August 14 ,2025
Coolie: Watchable action drama (3/5)
Superstar Rajinikanth and Tollywood star Nagarjuna starrer Coolie under the direction of Lokesh Kanagaraj has hit the silver screens on August 14,2025. Let’s Review it.
Synopsis:
Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj), an idealistic inventor, creates a mobile cremation system with the intention of serving society. But his noble innovation falls into the wrong hands when notorious smuggler Simon (Nagarjuna) exploits it for his own hidden agenda. A tragic turn of events leads to Rajasekhar’s death, leaving his daughter Preethi (Shruthi Haasan) and her two sisters vulnerable.
Enter Deva (Rajinikanth) Rajasekhar’s trusted friend who embarks on a mission to uncover the truth. Is Simon directly responsible for Rajasekhar’s demise, or is there a deeper conspiracy at play? What exactly is Simon’s real business beyond smuggling? Does he share an unresolved past with Deva? Who is the mysterious Dayal (Soubin Shahir) and how is he tied to these events? The answers unravel in a tale laced with personal history, deceit, and long-buried secrets best experienced on the big screen.
Performances:
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj once again assembles an impressive ensemble, ensuring balanced screen space for Nagarjuna and Soubin Shahir.
Soubin Shahir, stepping into a role originally envisioned for Fahadh Faasil, delivers a performance rich in nuance skillfully blending intensity with emotional weight. His screen presence and conviction elevate the character beyond mere action tropes.
Nagarjuna’s first outing as a full-fledged antagonist is a refreshing break from his romantic hero persona. He brings flashes of menace, though the chilling impact teased in the promotions doesn’t fully translate on screen.Sathyaraj, despite minimal screen time, commands attention with a dignified, understated portrayal.
Last but not least, Rajinikanth effortlessly charms, especially in the flashback segments where he plays the titular coolie aided by well-executed de-ageing effects. His chemistry with both Nag and Soubin provides some of the film’s most engaging moments.Rachitha Ram makes an impression in a short but neatly written role with a smart twist.
Analysis:
No matter how big the star power, a film ultimately rests on its storytelling. Coolie’s core plot is simple but lacks the narrative grip to sustain engagement. Even a straightforward story can be riveting if executed with flair here, pacing issues and shallow writing hold it back.
Shruthi Haasan is saddled with an underwritten role, confined mostly to emotional breakdowns. Her Telugu dubbing also feels off-key.
Upendra is wasted in a role devoid of substance — a missed chance for both the actor and the film. Aamir Khan’s cameo is predictable and offers nothing fresh.
On the brighter side, a few set pieces work — the mansion fight, the Rajini–Nag face-off, and certain emotional beats manage to shine.The climax is foreseeable and lacks the punch or emotional catharsis it needed. While it makes no connection to the LCU, the final convergence of Aamir and Rajini could have been staged with far more impact.
Technical Department:
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s weakest link here is the writing, which leans heavily on star appeal rather than strong material. His direction doesn’t elevate the script into something memorable.
Anirudh’s soundtrack, while promising in album form, fails to create the expected high-voltage background score, leaving several key moments feeling flat. Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography is competent but unremarkable, and Philomin Raj’s editing could have been tighter to trim the drag. Production values are decent without being spectacular.
Verdict:
Altogether, Coolie is an possible action drama that thrives largely on Rajinikanth’s charisma, Soubin Shahir’s well-etched role, and Sathyaraj’s restrained performance. Nagarjuna delivers a fair, if not fully realised, turn as the antagonist.The film packs in fan-pleasing elements slick fight sequences, big-star confrontations, and a handful of emotionally charged moments. But its predictable storyline, underwhelming execution, and absence of truly surprising twists prevent it from becoming more than a serviceable entertainer.
