Rajinikanth’s Coolie (2025) Movie Review and Updates
Coolie is a 2025 Tamil-language action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures. It features a stellar ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan in a cameo role.
The narrative follows a former coolie union leader who stands against a corrupt syndicate exploiting port workers. The film spans 170 minutes and was released worldwide on August 14, 2025.
Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, reuniting with Lokesh Kanagaraj once again; the score includes three notable singles, "Chikitu," "Monica," and "Powerhouse." The dance hook step from “Monica”, performed by Pooja Hegde, went viral on social media, boosting anticipation.
Early Reviews and Reactions of Fans
Advance ticket bookings broke records worldwide, driven by excitement for Rajinikanth’s comeback and the ensemble cast.
Latha Rajinikanth, his wife, described Coolie as one of his best works, amplifying fan enthusiasm.
Fans on social media praised Rajinikanth’s charisma and vintage swag, frequently calling it a “one-man show”; Aamir Khan's cameo also earned attention.
However, there’s a split narrative—while many celebrated the action and energy, others criticised the second half of the film for its uneven pacing and lack of originality. Some viewers labelled certain scenes clichéd or derivative, going as far as tagging the film with #CoolieDisaster on X.
Kannada-language reactions highlighted Rajinikanth's powerful performance but noted that Lokesh’s direction and story structure didn't meet expectations.
Selective Critic Reviews
Pinkvilla summarised the film as a “stylish action entertainer” that unfortunately “fails to live up to the hype.”
India.com celebrated Rajinikanth’s “power-packed” performance, calling it a triumphant return.
The Indian Express spotlighted Shruti Haasan’s role, with impressions that her performance, portraying Preethi, might be among the “finest of her career,” and highlighted a strong “feminine quotient”.
What Happened Behind the Scenes
Reports suggest Rajinikanth signed onto the project after hearing just the first half of the story, a testament to his faith in the director.
He also personally reviewed the final cut of the film and described it to Lord as reminiscent of his earlier classic, Thalapathi, which gave the director immense satisfaction.
Coolie notably reunites Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj on screen after 38 years, a point of nostalgic significance.
Conclusion
Rajinikanth’s electrifying performance, show-stealing star presence, slick visuals, and viral music are the strengths of the Coolie (2025) film. However, according to critics, the film’s second half pacing feels patchy; the story doesn’t always break new ground; some felt it leaned into overhype. On the whole, the movie offers a blockbuster masala entertainer with major fan-service moments—especially for Rajini devotees—but with a split between celebratory and critical reactions.