Coolie Review: Rajinikanth’s Charm Shines in a Visually Slick but Narratively Uneven Action Drama
Sarkar Rating: 2.5/5 Release Date : Aug 14, 2025
Cast
Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan,Pooja Hegde and others
Crew
Director – Lokesh Kanagaraj
Producer – Kalanithi Maran
Banner – Sun Pictures
Music – Anirudh Ravichander
Story
Simon (Nagarjuna) runs a smuggling empire, and the story unfolds as Deva (Rajinikanth) enters his world, unravels his own past, and connects with Preeti (Shruti Haasan). How these threads—crime, friendship, and personal history—intertwine forms the core of Coolie.
Performances
Rajinikanth is in top form with his trademark styling, body language, and mannerisms intact. His presence alone makes many otherwise ordinary scenes enjoyable. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj presents him in some of his best looks, from hair to wardrobe. While there are flashes of strong acting, this feels more like a casual, effortless stroll for the superstar rather than a deeply challenging role.
Nagarjuna’s turn as the antagonist is a bold and refreshing change. His makeover and swagger in the first half create a strong impression. Unfortunately, the writing doesn’t support him in the second half, leaving the character half-baked. The potential is visible but never fully realised.
Shruti Haasan, after a long gap, gets a substantial role and makes good use of it. Her character is integral to the plot, and she delivers a convincing performance. Cameos by Upendra and Aamir Khan are blink-and-miss additions that neither elevate nor damage the film.
Analysis
Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for high-octane action thrillers, takes a surprisingly straightforward approach here. The film opens strongly at a port setting with a sharp introduction for Simon. The first half, though not groundbreaking, holds attention with friendship-driven emotion and stylish hero-villain dynamics. Rajini’s swagger and occasional humor keep things lively, while Nag’s villainy—though shallow—adds novelty.
However, the second half stumbles badly. Instead of capitalising on Simon’s character arc, the narrative drifts, giving excessive focus to Soubin Shahir’s track and Shruti Haasan’s subplot. While Soubin impresses and Rachita Ram’s addition adds brief freshness, the pacing drags. Cameos towards the climax fail to inject energy, and the “Leo” déjà vu of a faltering latter half is hard to ignore.
That said, Coolie still offers scattered enjoyable moments, primarily driven by Rajinikanth’s screen presence and the film’s strong technical finesse.
Performances by Others
Soubin Shahir gets ample screen time and makes the most of it, easily standing out as one of the film’s better-etched characters. Sathyaraj fits his brief role well, Rachita Ram is engaging, and Kanna Ravi (as Simon’s son) is passable. Pooja Hegde’s “Monica” song is visually striking, though its placement may divide viewers.
Music & Technical Aspects
Anirudh Ravichander’s music and background score are key assets. While not his career-best, his work amplifies several moments and adds energy where the script falters. Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography ensures Coolie looks stylish throughout, making it a big-screen-friendly film. Editing by Philomin Raj is a major weak point—overlong sequences, especially in the second half, hurt the pacing. Production values from Sun Pictures are top-notch, with the film shining in its visual and sound design.
Verdict
Coolie is a mixed bag—engaging in parts, visually and technically strong, but narratively uneven. Rajinikanth’s charisma and a few standout moments make it worth a one-time watch if expectations are tempered.