When Rajinikanth steps onto the screen, the world pauses. That’s the magic of a man who has ruled Indian cinema for 50 years. Naturally, expectations were sky-high for ‘Coolie’, a film that promised the electrifying combination of Superstar Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj, the modern flagbearer of Tamil mass action cinema.
But despite its loaded star power and thunderous build-up, ‘Coolie’ lands with a thud, failing to ignite the cinematic blaze it promised.
🎬 Plot & Premise
At its core, Coolie is a gritty crime drama set in a world of power struggles and survival, with Rajinikanth playing a stoic, sharp-witted laborer drawn into a complex web of gangsters, betrayals, and hidden motives. Soubin Shahir, in a pivotal role, adds emotional weight—but the script never gives him enough to elevate the narrative.
🌟 What Works
- Rajinikanth’s screen presence is, as always, magnetic. Even in average scenes, he injects life through charisma alone.
- The cinematography and production design deliver a stylish visual palette, with Lokesh’s signature gritty realism.
- The background score keeps the mood intense, particularly in the action sequences.
❌ Where It Falters
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction feels unusually restrained. Known for his ability to blend mass and nuance, he delivers a film that plays it too safe and never quite finds its emotional or narrative rhythm.
- Flat writing and weak pacing dull the film’s momentum, especially in the second half.
- Despite the buzz of being part of a “Lokesh Cinematic Universe,” Coolie lacks the sharpness and cohesiveness of his previous hits like Kaithi or Vikram.
- Character arcs feel underdeveloped, particularly for supporting players like Shahir, whose role deserved far more depth.
🎭 Performances
- Rajinikanth: Effortless and commanding, but limited by a script that doesn’t serve him enough memorable moments.
- Soubin Shahir: A strong performer, but sidelined by underwritten material.
- Supporting cast: Serviceable, though none stand out as scene-stealers.
📉 Verdict: A Superstar Carried a Dull Story
Coolie had all the ingredients to be a blockbuster spectacle — a superstar, a hit director, a promising ensemble — but ends up as an undercooked, overly stylized crime drama that fails to live up to either man’s legacy.
