Some films have the element of surprise in the way they tell a story; others in the personalities who star in them. Coolie does it all, with superstar Rajinikanth in the lead and acclaimed filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj behind the camera. Also a production of Sun Pictures, the Tamil action thriller also features a large ensemble which includes Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Aamir Khan.
For fans of Rajinikanth, this film has an added element of nostalgia. The title itself takes us back to the superstar’s past working-class roles; also, the promo material is filled with references to his great classic films. At the same time which in terms of style and content, Lokesh’s approach to make Coolie very much a different kind of film.
What Is Coolie About?
In the setting of gold smuggling and organized crime, the stage is set for the story that we follow: Deva, played by Rajinikanth. At first, Deva comes off as a simple man who runs a boarding house, when in fact he is very much at the heart of the criminal network which operates out of a coastal harbour.
As it turns out, the situation that Deva is in becomes very complex when he is caught between powerful smugglers, at the same time as undercover cops and people from his past. What was meant to be a personal protection of his loved ones grows into a much larger-scale war against a brutal syndicate.
What is interesting in the story is Deva’s association with the coolie community. His history as a union leader gives the character a personal stake in standing against exploitation, which in turn makes his fight more than that of a typical revenge-based action plot.
A Star-Studded Cast
Rajinikanth plays the lead as Deva in the film, which also features Nagarjuna as Simon, a key player in the smuggling network. Soubin Shahir makes his Tamil film debut as Dayal, and Upendra appears as Kaleesha.
Shruti Haasan is in the lead as Preethi; also, which is very interesting, is the return of Sathyaraj to the screen, which is a few decades in the making; he is back with Rajinikanth. Also, which is a surprise, is the appearance of Aamir Khan as Dahaa, which brings a Bollywood element to the film.
Music, Action and Visual Appeal
Anirudh Ravichander is at it again with what has become his trademark successful collaboration with both Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj. Out of these, songs like “Chikitu”, “Monica”, and “Powerhouse” which he put out, did a great job in building up the pre-release buzz.
The film will present also large scale action, stylish visuals, and Lokesh’s signature intense atmosphere. We see in it the use of advanced cameras and visual effects, which in turn adds to the cinematic scale.
Why Coolie Stands Out
What draws interest in Coolie is the combination of Rajinikanth’s ever-present screen image and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s modern approach to film. Instead of living in the past, the film sets out to present the superstar in a more complex and intense setting.
For me, that is the main reason to put Coolie on the map. It’s a blend of the classic Rajinikanth that generations of Indian audiences have tuned into and a contemporary action director known for his out-of-the-box characters and high-energy stories.
With a great ensemble, dynamic music, and grand-scale action Coolie is a step above your average superstar film. It is a film that is best experienced in a theater with a full house and which is to be enjoyed with much cheer.
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