Coolie

A man's life is consumed by his quest for vengeance after a childhood betrayal. Fueled by a desire to right past wrongs, he navigates the challenges and complexities of his relentless pursuit. As he confronts enemies and his own demons, he discovers what truly matters in life.

August 14

2025

Release Date

Tamil, Hindi, Telugu,
Kannada

Language

48 minutes

2 hours

Running Time

Cast

Rajinikanth

Nagarjuna Akkineni

Aamir Khan

Soubin Shahir

Sathyaraj

Shruti Haasan

Pooja Hegde

Rachita Ram

Kaali Venkat

Upendra

Kanna Ravi

Reba Monica John

Monisha Blessy

Lollu Sabha Maaran

Dileepan

Karate Karthi

Rishikanth

Ravi Raghavendra

3.0

5/5

Average Rating

The above-mentioned average rating is based on the derived ratings of multiple review platforms

OH Review

5/5

Coolie Movie Review

Plot

Coolie unfolds in 2025, a year marked by unusual spectacles in Kollywood and beyond. The film, touted as a potential blockbuster, is driven by a multilayered narrative that dives into a web of intrigue, revenge, and crime syndicates. At the heart of the film lies the story of Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj), whose untimely death leaves his three daughters grappling with loss and uncertainty. The eldest, Preethi (Shruti Haasan), confronts Deva (Rajinikanth), a longtime friend of her father, when he arrives to pay his respects. Her heartfelt anger and grief set the tone for what’s to come.

What follows is an exploration of Rajasekhar’s mysterious ties to the darker elements of society, specifically to a smuggling syndicate led by Simon (Nagarjuna), a stylish yet dangerous figure. As Deva delves deeper into Rajasekhar's past, he discovers connections to Dayalan (Soubin Shahir), who runs a port where exploitation thrives. The film spans various locations and timelines, intending to unfold a thrilling narrative filled with questions about loyalty, betrayal, and justice.

However, while the premise is intriguing, the execution proves to be uneven. Coolie starts strong with a gripping first act that sets up the stakes and introduces characters with potential depth. Still, as it transitions from a revenge story to a broader expose on crime syndicates, the plot becomes convoluted. Many subplots emerge, yet they often feel half-baked and underdeveloped, leading to a narrative that struggles to maintain coherence. This overstuffing of ideas detracts from the initially engaging storyline, leaving viewers with a sense of missed opportunities instead of the satisfying revelations they likely anticipated.

The film runs at nearly three hours, and while it promises twists and turns, many of these feel predictable or lacking in impact. Rather than delivering a solid conclusion, the film ends up leaving loose ends that detract from the overall experience. Despite the ambitious scope, the coherence of the central plot suffers, and the fire and fury that the initial premise hinted at are overshadowed by a messy execution. In trying to juggle numerous arcs and character dynamics, Coolie loses its grip on the audience's engagement towards the latter half, warranting a critical look at the pacing and overall storyline coherence.

Acting

One of the film’s strengths lies undoubtedly in its cast, led by the iconic Rajinikanth. Known for his electrifying performances, he embodies Deva with an energy and charisma that remain undiminished, even at 74. His ability to command the screen is evident, and he delivers moments that elicit applause, often relying on his infamous charm and witty lines. However, while he fluctuates between fierce intensity and emotional depth, the character itself is somewhat limited by a script that doesn’t fully exploit his potential. The film could have benefited from a more nuanced exploration of his relationships and motivations.

Shruti Haasan shines in her role as Preethi, providing a layered performance that showcases vulnerability and strength. Her portrayal of grief and resilience stands out among the ensemble cast, making her character's journey impactful despite the film's overall shortcomings. Soubin Shahir and Nagarjuna also deliver commendable performances, with Soubin’s character arc offering a glimpse of his talent, albeit not fully realized due to script limitations. Nagarjuna’s Simon exudes style and menace, but his character lacks the depth that could have made for a more compelling antagonist.

The film boasts a diverse ensemble, including appearances from popular figures like Aamir Khan and Upendra Rao. However, their cameos, often marketed as significant, fall flat, contributing little to the story beyond momentary excitement. The potential for dynamic interactions between these characters and the leads appears squandered, leaving viewers wanting more depth to their narratives. Overall, while the cast brings a high level of performance, the script becomes the weak link, failing to capitalize on their strengths and leaving the audience underwhelmed by a lack of cohesive character development across the board.

Coolie does provide standout moments that remind audiences of the star power involved, particularly in action sequences that allow Rajinikanth and his co-stars to shine. Yet, the interplay between the characters, especially the relationship dynamics, feel disjointed, ultimately detracting from the overall impact of their performances. Despite the talent on display, the film cannot transcend its narrative shortcomings, leading to a viewing experience that feels more like surface-level enjoyment rather than an emotionally engaging journey.

Cinematography

In terms of visuals, Coolie showcases impressive cinematography. Girish Gangadharan’s work is notable, providing a canvas rich in color and dynamic framing that elevates the film’s aesthetic experience. Cinematic choices appear to be made with a keen eye for details, creating striking images that accentuate crucial moments. High-octane scenes, such as the hostel rescue, exemplify the technical prowess behind the camera, pulling viewers into the chaos alongside the characters.

Anirudh Ravichander's pulsating musical score complements the action, effectively heightening tension during critical moments. The soundtrack serves as an emotional backdrop, setting the tone for the unfolding drama. Yet, despite its strengths, the music often relies on existing melodies rather than providing a fresh auditory experience that might have intertwined better with the film’s narrative threads. The sound design adds depth as well, enhancing the visceral experience of the fight sequences and emotional beats.

However, while the film occasionally dazzles with its visual spectacle, it falters when it comes to cohesively weaving these elements into the storytelling. The successive action sequences, although visually captivating, sometimes feel detached from the core narrative, leading to a disjointed experience where visuals overshadow the story. The use of special effects, particularly in action scenes, reflects a modern approach to film-making, but the execution doesn’t always align with the exceptionality the images strive to convey.

While the film serves as a vibrant showcase of cinematographic capabilities, it ultimately generates a bittersweet experience. The cinematic beauty is marred by an underwhelming plot, leaving audiences craving tighter storytelling that could have truly harnessed these stunning visuals to enhance character arcs and emotional stakes. The skillful cinematography, paired with a varied color palette, certainly deserves accolades, yet it becomes overshadowed by the overall narrative inconsistency present in Coolie.

Direction

Coolie marks a significant collaboration between director Lokesh Kanagaraj and superstar Rajinikanth. Kanagaraj has gained a reputation for his distinctive approach to storytelling rooted in Tamil cinema. With high expectations from fans and critics alike, his direction in Coolie is a double-edged sword. While it’s clear he has an understanding of the genre and a flair for incorporating action and emotion, this particular outing feels disconnected from the usual finesse he’s known for.

The film kicks off with an electrifying introduction of Rajinikanth, setting the bar high for the unfolding narrative. However, as Coolie progresses, it becomes evident that the directorial execution lacks the usual smooth transitions and character developments that one might expect from his body of work. The film appears to be a blend of various genres – revenge, crime, and drama – but fails to balance these elements harmoniously. The resultant experience is one of fragmentation, where the initial engaging premise gets lost amidst an overload of subplots and themes.

Kanagaraj attempts to weave multiple threads of intrigue into the narrative, yet many of these ideas either feel under-explored or abruptly abandoned, creating a disconnect for the audience. The film’s ambitious scope ultimately leads to confusion, the pacing falters, and the climax feels rushed and unsatisfying. With a runtime nearing three hours, moments of tension and excitement become diluted, often losing their effect as the story drags on without a strong resolution.

The director’s signature techniques, such as incorporating suspenseful non-linear storytelling and focusing on character-driven narratives, feel overshadowed in Coolie by a desire for spectacle and star power. While he tries to employ visual storytelling elements effectively, they do not always serve the story at hand. The high-stakes moments, although well-crafted in isolation, sometimes contrast with the lesser-developed subplots, leading to a viewing experience that feels uneven rather than exhilarating.

In summary, while there are glimpses of the director’s talent throughout the film, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie ultimately lacks the coherence that fans have come to expect. Instead of a relevant, gripping thriller, the film stands as an admixture of grand ambition and missed potential, leaving audiences wondering about what could have been achieved with a more focused script. The narrative fragmentation undercuts the overall impact, resulting in a spectacle that, for all its flash, struggles to deliver a satisfying cinematic experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Coolie emerges as a film that sparks excitement but ultimately falters under the weight of its ambition. Although marketed as a potential blockbuster, the film struggles to maintain coherence, packing too many ideas into its sprawling runtime without forging a clear, engaging narrative. Rajinikanth delivers a performance marked by his iconic presence, but even he cannot salvage the film from the pitfalls of an overstuffed plot. The film may satisfy die-hard fans craving the larger-than-life experience that comes with Rajini, but mainstream audiences seeking a tight, well-structured story may find it lacking.

The cinematic strengths—vivid visuals, a stellar ensemble cast, and a pulsating score—cannot overshadow the disjointed execution. Coolie’s brilliance lies in its technical aspects, reflecting the capabilities of its crew. Yet, as viewers reflect on the experience, it becomes clear that the narrative should have been the anchor for these elements rather than serving merely as a backdrop for action sequences and star power.

Indeed, the film draws comparisons to previous works and brings nostalgia for traditional storytelling while trying to innovate with modern techniques. Still, it begs the question of whether a film can thrive purely on star power without a well-rounded script. For those looking to enjoy the nostalgia of Rajinikanth and a visual feast, Coolie might still deliver some joy, yet for others yearning for a compelling and meaningful narrative, it may come across as a missed opportunity.

Overall, Coolie serves as a reminder of Rajinikanth's enduring legacy, but leaves audiences with the sense that its hype exceeds its execution. While the film does offer moments of brilliance, the shortcomings are equally pronounced, leading to an experience that may leave viewers scratching their heads rather than celebrating what should have been a milestone in Tamil cinema.



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