Rajinikanth's "Coolie" is generating significant buzz ahead of its release on August 14, 2025. Industry insider and politician Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had the opportunity to view a special preview of the film, has lauded it as a "power-packed mass entertainer". This initial review has amplified the already high expectations surrounding the film.
Stalin congratulated Rajinikanth on completing 50 years in the film industry. He expressed his enjoyment of "Coolie," predicting that it would capture the hearts of audiences everywhere and wishing the team a roaring success. Stalin's positive feedback has been particularly noteworthy, as he is not generally known for praising films before their release, especially those he isn't involved in.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, "Coolie" boasts a star-studded cast, including Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. The film is produced by Kalanidhi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music, adding to the film's appeal.
"Coolie" is anticipated to be a significant cinematic event, with some predicting it could become Kollywood's first 1000 crore grosser. The film has already made approximately ₹100 crore worldwide in advance ticket sales, potentially surpassing "Leo"'s first-day collection record for Tamil movies.
The film's plot revolves around Deva (Rajinikanth), a mysterious hero who rises against a corrupt syndicate exploiting dockworkers in a coastal port town. The narrative involves revenge and justice within the shadowy world of gold smuggling.
Rajinikanth's vintage style is a major highlight of "Coolie". His signature gait, dialogue delivery, and overall swag are reminiscent of his iconic performances from the 1980s and 1990s. The film is also expected to have surprise elements and unexpected twists, characteristic of Lokesh Kanagaraj's directorial style.
"Coolie" is clashing with the Hindi film "War 2" at the box office. While "Coolie" is currently dominating in advance ticket sales, word-of-mouth will be crucial in determining the films' long-term success.
Umair Sandhu, a Dubai-based critic, described "Coolie" as a "one-man show flick" with a powerful performance by Rajinikanth. He noted that the story and screenplay are average but praised the supporting cast, climax, background music, and action sequences. Sandhu gave the movie a rating of 3.5 stars. However, another review described the film as a colossal disappointment with a messy narrative and lackluster execution, failing to capitalize on Rajinikanth's persona.
"Coolie" has received an A (Adults Only) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification. The film is being released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
