Summary
Coolie Movie Review: Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie features Rajinikanth, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj in key roles. While it follows the familiar beats of a revenge drama, the narrative often strays into unnecessary subplots. Apart from Rajinikanth’s undeniable screen presence, the film delivers little in terms of fresh ideas or impactful storytelling
Coolie Movie Review: Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie features Rajinikanth, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj in key roles. While it follows the familiar beats of a revenge drama, the narrative often strays into unnecessary subplots. Apart from Rajinikanth’s undeniable screen presence, the film delivers little in terms of fresh ideas or impactful storytelling
1. Coolie came with high expectations but ultimately fell short of delivering on the hype.
2. While Rajinikanth shines with his commanding performance, the film’s storyline fails to match his energy.
3. Our review notes that the movie struggles with too many ideas crammed together, resulting in a plot that feels scattered and uneven.
The year 2025 has been rather unusual for big-budget spectacle films—not only in Kollywood but across the Indian film industry. Coolie, one of the most talked-about releases of the year, came with massive buzz and a stellar ensemble cast. It was promoted as a potential game-changer for 2025’s box office. Everything seemed to work in its favor—an acclaimed director with a spotless track record, the presence of the legendary Rajinikanth, and a cast featuring a wide range of talented actors.
The story takes place across different times and places. After Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj) passes away, his elder daughter Preethi (Shruti Haasan) and her two sisters face a tough time. Deva (Rajinikanth), Rajasekhar’s close friend who owns a large mansion, visits to offer his condolences, but Preethi angrily asks him to leave. A few days later, Deva learns that Rajasekhar’s death may not be as simple as it seemed.
Simon (played by Nagarjuna) is the leader of a smuggling gang involved in many illegal dealings. Dayalan (Soubin Shahir) controls the port, a place where workers are often exploited and even killed. When Deva starts looking into Rajasekhar’s death, his search leads him deep into the dangerous world of Simon and Dayalan. Who was Rajasekhar? What work did he do? How was he linked to Dayalan and the gang? The film slowly answers these questions over its 2-hour-49-minute run.
Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for bringing a fresh style to Tamil cinema and delivering hit after hit, had fans excited when news broke of his team-up with Rajinikanth. Hopes were sky-high, but Coolie ends up being one of his least impressive films so far.
The movie starts with a stylish opening, leading to Rajinikanth’s grand entry that excites the audience. However, as the story moves forward, several side plots are introduced. These seem important in the first half but are left incomplete and not fully connected to the main story.
Even at 74, Rajinikanth’s charm, humor, and powerful screen presence are still intact. Just one close-up of his eyes can excite the audience, and Coolie makes good use of such moments. These scenes get loud cheers, but they don’t quite match director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s usual unique visual style. The film has his signature touches—retro songs, action scenes with lively music, and a non-linear story—but this time, they don’t work as well as expected.
The biggest problem with Coolie is that it tries to fit in too many ideas. It begins as a revenge story about a man looking for the truth behind his friend’s death. But soon, it changes into a tale about an ordinary man taking down a crime syndicate. This shift feels uneven, so while some scenes are enjoyable, the film as a whole doesn’t come together well.
Rajinikanth puts in his full effort for Coolie, but the story doesn’t really support him. The narrative keeps jumping between him, Soubin, and Simon, without leaving a strong impression. Soubin’s role starts off with promise, but the film never fully makes use of his skills. Nagarjuna looks sharp as Simon, but the character is flat, so his charm can only take it so far. Shruti Haasan delivers one of her most memorable performances in recent years as Preethi. Among the rest of the cast, Kanna Ravi and Rachitha Ram stand out with short but impactful roles.
‘Coolie’ feels messy and disconnected, which takes away the enjoyment. Rajinikanth clearly enjoys himself on screen, but the movie doesn’t share the same energy. The constant stream of cameos, much like in ‘Jailer’, adds little value—especially since big names like Aamir Khan were revealed before release. By the time they appear, there’s no surprise, leaving you thinking, “Okay… what now?”
Aamir Khan and Upendra’s cameos may seem exciting in theory, but they end up feeling unnecessary and fail to honor their reputations.
‘Coolie’ shines on the technical side. Girish Gangadharan’s camera work is stunning, and Anirudh Ravichander’s energetic music keeps the mood alive. From sound and production design to VFX, every technical aspect is done with great skill.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie turns out to be a disappointing film with too many ideas crammed in. Rajinikanth’s charm and Anirudh Ravichander’s lively music are the main things that keep it from completely failing.
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