Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth, promised to be a grand mass entertainer and one of Tamil cinema’s biggest spectacles of the year. With a massive pan-Indian star cast, high expectations, and an aggressive marketing campaign, the film was set to redefine the Rajinikanth experience for a new generation. Unfortunately, what arrives on screen is a mixed bag — moments of style and energy that remind us of the Superstar’s magic, but a screenplay and execution that never fully deliver the knockout punch fans were hoping for.
A Story That Struggles to Find Its Grip
Lokesh Kanagaraj has built a reputation for crafting taut, high-energy action thrillers like Kaithi, Master, and Vikram. But with Coolie, his writing seems surprisingly loose, especially in the first half. The film takes its time to set up the characters and the world, but instead of building anticipation, it feels meandering.
The premise had potential — Rajinikanth in a rugged, mass-hero avatar taking on a dangerous criminal network — but the screenplay doesn’t give him enough defining high points early on. While the second half picks up with better momentum and a few impactful sequences, the lack of well-timed “mass moments” makes the overall narrative feel underwhelming.
Rajinikanth – Swag Intact, But Underutilized
Rajinikanth delivers his signature style, charisma, and larger-than-life screen presence effortlessly. His walk, his dialogue delivery, and his aura still command the screen like no other. But Lokesh surprisingly doesn’t seem to fully utilize this power.
Fans expecting punch dialogues, goosebump-worthy slow-motion shots, and whistle-worthy hero entries will find only a few scattered moments to cheer for. Compared to Nelson’s Jailer, where Rajinikanth was positioned perfectly within a tightly packed script, Coolie feels like a missed opportunity.
The Supporting Cast – Mixed Impact
The film’s casting generated huge buzz, especially with the inclusion of Telugu superstar Nagarjuna. However, his role feels underwritten, lacking any real weight that required a star of his stature. This could have easily been handled by a strong character actor like Prakash Raj.
On the other hand, Soubin Shahir is a standout. His performance is electric, full of quirky energy and memorable moments. Ironically, his Tamil-accented delivery adds an unusual flavor that makes him more noticeable. Many will agree he steals scenes even when Rajinikanth is present.
Shruti Haasan does a decent job with what she’s given, though her role doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Upendra, in a cameo, makes a strong mark — brief but effective. Aamir Khan’s cameo, however, feels awkwardly placed and oddly written, making it one of the weaker elements of the film.
Music & Technical Brilliance
Anirudh Ravichander once again delivers a pulsating background score. The “Kokki BGM” is an absolute treat, elevating the scenes it accompanies. However, his much-talked-about “Powerhouse BGM” is used too sparingly, which is a missed opportunity for boosting the mass appeal of certain key moments.
Visually, Coolie is stunning in parts. Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography captures both grit and grandeur with equal skill. Some action set-pieces look magnificent purely because of the way they are shot. Philomin Raj’s editing is crisp in the second half, but the first half could have benefited from tighter cuts to improve pacing.
First Half vs. Second Half
The major weakness of Coolie lies in its uneven halves. The first half struggles to engage, offering only glimpses of what could have been a tightly wound action entertainer. The second half does bring in more energy and a couple of applause-worthy sequences, but by then, the film has already lost some of its grip on the audience.
In essence, Coolie fails to deliver the relentless, fan-service-packed ride you’d expect from the Rajinikanth–Lokesh combination.
Final Verdict
Coolie is not a bad film — it has moments of style, strong technical work, and performances that occasionally shine. But with such a dream pairing and such massive expectations, “average” just doesn’t cut it. Rajinikanth fans will still enjoy seeing the Superstar on the big screen, but for others, it may feel like a film that could have been much, much more.
Bullseye Rating:★★★ (3/5 stars)
Coolie is a visually stylish but uneven Rajinikanth–Lokesh Kanagaraj outing that lacks the consistent mass punch fans hoped for.
The movie is currently in theatres