Release Date: August 14, 2025
Editor : Philomin Raj
Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Starring: Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Shruti Haasan
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Genre: Action Thriller
Introduction – Coolie Movie Review Featuring Rajinikanth
India’s Independence Day weekend of 2025 has brought cinema fans one of the most talked-about releases of the year — Coolie. This Coolie movie review explores how Lokesh Kanagaraj teams up with the legendary Rajinikanth for a mass-packed, action-driven drama that’s dominating both theatres and Twitter trends.
Released on August 14, 2025, alongside the mammoth Hindi release “War 2,” Coolie is proof that Rajinikanth still knows how to pull crowds like no other superstar.
Plot – Rajinikanth as Devaraj
The movie follows Devaraj (Rajinikanth), a retired coolie union leader who is forced back into action when corruption and smuggling threaten his people’s livelihoods.
Highlights:
- Rajinikanth serves vintage energy – heroic slow-mo moments, intense dialogue delivery, and charisma that lights up the screen.
- Nagarjuna as Simon Xavier is a classy, ruthless villain who matches Rajini’s presence in key confrontations.
- Aamir Khan’s cameo is a delightful surprise, sparking huge cheers in theatres.
- Shruti Haasan provides emotional grounding, while Soubin Shahir delivers subtle yet vital support.
The narrative mixes action and sentiment, ensuring it caters to both whistle-blowing fans and family audiences.
ALSO READ : War 2 Movie Review – Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s High-Octane Spy Thriller (2025)
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Direction & Technical Brilliance
Lokesh Kanagaraj has built a name for elevating Tamil commercial action dramas (Vikram, Kaithi, Leo), and Coolie is another entry in his gritty-meets-mass style.
- First Half: Grabs attention with larger-than-life action and solid emotional beats.
- Second Half: More predictable, but Rajini’s energy keeps the momentum alive.
Music & Sound: Anirudh Ravichander’s BGM roars through theatres, especially in fight sequences. The song Monica (featuring Pooja Hegde) has gone viral, attracting even Monica Bellucci’s attention.
Cinematography & Editing: Girish Gangadharan’s camera work captures the industrial port’s gritty atmosphere, while Philomin Raj’s edits make the stunts punchy despite some pacing drag.
ALSO READ : War 2 (2025) – Everything You Need to Know About Bollywood’s Biggest Action Thriller
Box Office Performance
Even before release, Coolie was a hot ticket:
- Advance Sales: Over 12 lakh tickets sold globally pre-release.
- Day 1 Gross (India): ₹63–90 crore.
- Day 1 Worldwide: ₹155–165 crore.
- USA Premieres: Strong turnout despite facing War 2.
By Day 3, the film had already crossed ₹350 crore worldwide, giving Rajinikanth one of his biggest career openings.
Audience Reactions – Mass Mania Everywhere
The first-day-first-show screenings felt like mini-festivals. Fans in Chennai, Kochi, and Hyderabad lit up theatres with banners, confetti, and even drum processions.
Fan Reactions:
- “Rajini sir is proof that age is just a number.”
- “Lokesh has given us a festival film – goosebumps scenes every 15 minutes.”
- “Wish the second half was trimmed, but who cares when Rajini is on fire.”
Social media trended #CoolieFDFS, #RajinikanthIsBack, and #LokeshKanagaraj for over 24 hours. Overseas audiences, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore, praised the balance of action and emotion, while USA audiences loved the mass celebrations at Tamil theatres in New York, Dallas, and San Jose.
Coolie vs War 2 – The Big Clash
Releasing alongside War 2 (Hrithik Roshan & Jr NTR, ₹400+ crore budget) was risky, but Coolieheld strong in South Indian territories. War 2 performed best in the Hindi-speaking belt, but Coolieemerged as the top grosser in Tamil Nadu and Kerala for the weekend.
Impact & Legacy
While Coolie isn’t without flaws — chiefly its slightly stretched second half — it reaffirms Rajinikanth’s enduring box-office pull. It also strengthens Lokesh Kanagaraj’s reputation as a commercial hitmaker able to merge mass entertainment with a grittier style.
Why You Should Watch Coolie
- Rajinikanth in vintage form – full of charm and style.
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction – thrilling and cinematic.
- Great villain & cameo – Nagarjuna and Aamir Khan shine.
- Anirudh’s powerful BGM – designed for the big screen.
- Festival crowd energy – best enjoyed in packed theatres.
Verdict – Coolie Movie Review: Rajinikanth’s Grand Return
Coolie (2025) is a crowd-pleasing action entertainer that knows exactly what its audience wants. With massive box office success, a stellar cast, and electrifying music, it’s an Independence Day release fans will remember.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
2 thoughts on “Coolie Movie Review – Rajinikanth’s Mass Comeback in Lokesh Kanagaraj Style (2025)”