A Star-Powered Action Thriller Unwrapped
Overview
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Title: Coolie (2025)
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Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
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Producer: Kalanithi Maran, Sun Pictures
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Screenplay & Story: Lokesh Kanagaraj, with Chandhru Anbazhagan contributing to the script
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Cast: Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Rachita Ram; special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde.
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Technical Team: Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan; Editing by Philomin Raj; Music by Anirudh Ravichander.
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Runtime: Around 170 minutes (~2 hr 49–50 min)
Budget: Approximately ₹350–₹400 crore
Language: Tamil (multilingual release)
Plot Synopsis
Coolie follows a former coolie union leader, Deva (Rajinikanth), whose life takes a dramatic turn when his friend dies under suspicious circumstances. His quest for justice propels him into the dangerous world of crime syndicates, unearthing betrayal, power struggles, and a web of violent retribution.
Development & Release
The film was initially announced in September 2023 as Thalaivar 171, marking Rajinikanth’s 171st lead role. The official title, Coolie, was unveiled in April 2024, with principal photography running from July 2024 to March 2025 across Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok.
The score by Anirudh Ravichander—his fourth Lokesh collaboration and fifth with Rajinikanth—features singles like Chikitu, Monica, and Powerhouse released leading up to the premiere on.
Pre-release buzz was massive, with director Lokesh Kanagaraj expressing his pride in the team and making a spiritual gesture by visiting the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Notably, overseas pre-sales crossed USD 2 million, underscoring global anticipation.
Reception & Box Office
Opening Weekend:
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Worldwide Day 1: Coolie collected ₹151 crore globally—the highest ever for a Tamil film, according to.
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India Net: By 8 p.m. on opening day, it surpassed ₹100 crore in India alone.
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Day 2: The total global haul crossed ₹245 crore within two days, making it the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025, according to.
Theater Phenomenon:
The release ignited fan mania—milk showers, dhol beats, and jubilant dances greeted the film in theaters. Chennai and Rohini saw fervent celebrations, according to The Economic Times. Ticket prices soared, with Chennai tickets ranging from ₹57 to as high as ₹4,500. Even international fans got swept up, with companies granting paid leave for opening day viewings and the Singapore Police Force creating a viral reel synced to the Powerhouse track Indiatimes.
Release buzz also included controversy: comparisons of the poster’s fragmented design to Madame Web, Glass, and Rebel Moon sparked debates over originality in India Today.
Critical Response
Highlights:
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Performances & First Half: Rajinikanth's magnetic presence was universally praised. Fans and critics lauded the mass entertainment style and energy of the first half—including a standout interval. CinemaExpress acknowledged a gripping start, though it said the film eventually became encumbered by its own weight.
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NDTV Review (Saibal Chatterjee): Noted that Rajinikanth as Deva dominates the screen in a star-packed ensemble and that the cameo appearances by Aamir Khan and Upendra leave memorable impressions.
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UNB Review: Described it as a blockbuster masala entertainer with strong visuals, music, and style—even if the second half faltered narratively.
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Fan Reactions (TOI Live Updates): Some celebrated the "best mass moment ever," while others noted pacing issues, overly familiar tropes, and underwhelming second-half execution.
Criticisms:
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Navbharat Times: Reported mixed reactions—viewers found the first half decent but complained of lag in the latter half, dubbing parts of the film "cartoonish" and "lacking originality" under the hashtag #CoolieDisaster.
Cultural Impact & Legacy
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Certification: The film received an 'A' (Adults Only) rating from the CBFC due to its intense violence—it marks Rajinikanth’s first film with such a rating in 36 years, according to The Times of India.
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Music Buzz: The trailer featured the phrase “Alela Polema,” originally gibberish by composer Anirudh but later interpreted as resembling Greek—its mysterious allure added to fan intrigue, The Times of India.
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Symbolic Celebration: The release coincided with Rajinikanth’s golden jubilee in cinema—fans and the director both paid tribute to his five-decade legacy, making Coolie feel like a turning-of-the-sails moment in his career (The Times of IndiaLetterboxd.
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Box Office Records:With record-breaking collections at home and abroad, the film reaffirmed Rajinikanth as a bankable icon in Indian cinema. Navbharat Times The Indian Express.
Conclusion
In sum, Coolie (2025) is a high-voltage, star-studded masala blockbuster that rides on Rajinikanth’s indomitable charisma, Anirudh’s electrifying music, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s high-octane direction. While its first half delivers fireworks, the second half struggles under narrative weight and familiar tropes. Nevertheless, Coolie reasserts Rajini’s aura—and confirms once again why he remains Tamil cinema’s enduring powerhouse.