Coolie delivers Rajinikanth-packed action and mass appeal, but a cluttered script and uneven pace keep it from being the truly epic entertainer fans crave.
- Who needs a smooth action thriller when you can have Rajinikanth flipping cigarettes and bad guys over—just don’t mind the messy script trailing behind him.
- Crowd-Pleasing Conceit
- Plot in a Nutshell
- Fade-In: Rajinikanth’s Magic
- High-Octane First Half, Draggy Second
- Supporting Cast & Cameos: Hit or Quirky Misses?
- Music, Visuals & Techy Twists
- Mixed Buzz from Fans & Critics
- Smooth Transitions in the Story
- Where It Works, and Where It Doesn’t
- Final Over Thoughts
- Suggested Related Post
Who needs a smooth action thriller when you can have Rajinikanth flipping cigarettes and bad guys over—just don’t mind the messy script trailing behind him.
Crowd-Pleasing Conceit
Coolie is the latest Kollywood spectacular from Lokesh Kanagaraj, starring none other than Rajinikanth himself. With a story rooted in smuggling syndicates and investigative vengeance, the setup promises a riot of action. But does the paycheck punch land as hard as the star power? Let’s find out.
Plot in a Nutshell
The film opens at a bustling harbor where criminal mastermind Simon (Nagarjuna) and his ruthless lieutenant Dayal (Soubin Shahir) run an illicit racket. Enter Deva (Rajinikanth), a retired coolie-turned-boarding-house owner, who begins probing the suspicious death of his friend. Alongside his friend’s daughter Preethi (Shruti Haasan), he uncovers a web of smuggling, a deadly electric-chair invention, and layers of betrayal—wrapped in retro swagger and punchy dialogue.
Fade-In: Rajinikanth’s Magic
The cigarette flip. The slow-motion walk. The steely glare. Rajini enters every scene like he owns the reel—and he does. Lokesh Kanagaraj clearly designed the film to be a full-throttle Rajini celebration. On that front, it delivers.
High-Octane First Half, Draggy Second
The opening act moves like a finely tuned engine—crisp pacing, big reveals, and explosive action. But post-interval? The story hits speed bumps. Subplots multiply, sequences feel repetitive, and the crispness starts to fade. The screenplay loses steam just when it should be ramping up.
Supporting Cast & Cameos: Hit or Quirky Misses?
- Nagarjuna is stylish and smooth as the antagonist Simon.
- Soubin Shahir as Dayal mixes menace with sly humor.
- Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Rachita Ram, and Sathyaraj each leave small but notable impressions.
- Aamir Khan as Dahaa is the ultimate surprise—his cameo is short but a total scene-stealer.
Music, Visuals & Techy Twists
Anirudh Ravichander brings the heat with a pulsating soundtrack, with the ‘Monica’ track becoming a viral sensation—helped along by Pooja Hegde’s glamorous cameo.
Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography is crisp and stylish, while Philomin Raj’s editing keeps the action sequences sharp. An interesting touch: some characters are de-aged for flashbacks using AI, giving a tech-driven edge to the storytelling.
Mixed Buzz from Fans & Critics
- Tamil Nadu’s Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin called it a “power-packed mass entertainer,” especially fitting as Rajini celebrates 50 years in cinema.
- Social media, however, is split. While die-hard fans love the nostalgia and swagger, others tagged it under #CoolieDisaster, citing an overstuffed script and cartoonish plotting.
- Critical reception is equally divided. Some reviewers praise the performances and music, while others point to bloated storytelling and a lack of originality.
Smooth Transitions in the Story
- From plot to pulp: Rajini’s charisma covers cracks in the narrative like butter on a cracked roti.
- From faces to pages: Cameos spice up the dish, even if they don’t get enough screentime.
- From action to emotion: The soundtrack and visuals bring energy when the script starts to waver.
Where It Works, and Where It Doesn’t
The Hits
- Rajinikanth’s unbeatable screen presence.
- Aamir Khan’s memorable cameo.
- Foot-tapping songs and vibrant visuals.
The Misses
- Too many subplots clutter the flow.
- A sluggish second half.
- Familiar tropes with little freshness.
Final Over Thoughts
For Rajini loyalists, Coolie is pure cinematic comfort food—packed with mass moments, whistles, and nostalgic nods. But for those expecting a taut, unpredictable action-drama, it’s a mixed bag: fun in bursts, but not a game-changer.
Coolie is a swaggering buffet—just don’t overfill your plate, or you’ll miss the spice.
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