‘Coolie’ Review – A Superstar’s Swag in a Middling Revenge Drama
Introduction
Lokesh Kanagaraj, a name synonymous with sharp screenplays and adrenaline-pumping action, returns with Coolie—an action thriller headlined by Superstar Rajinikanth. Backed by Sun Pictures, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and a cameo from Aamir Khan. With a premise revolving around the struggles of coolies in a port town, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, Coolie falls into the category of a well-mounted yet underwhelming venture—one that has flashes of brilliance but is marred by sluggish pacing and a lack of emotional grip.
Plot
Set across multiple timelines and locations, the film follows Deva (Rajinikanth), a mansion owner and old friend of the late Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj), who is shunned by Rajasekhar’s daughter Preethi (Shruti Haasan) during the funeral. When Deva learns there’s more to Rajasekhar’s death than it seems, his search for the truth pulls him into the dangerous world of smuggling kingpin Simon (Nagarjuna) and ruthless port boss Dayalan (Soubin Shahir), uncovering Rajasekhar’s hidden ties to their criminal operations.
Direction & Screenplay
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s storytelling trademarks—tight pacing, interconnected character arcs, and rousing elevations—are mostly absent here. The film feels disjointed, with the first half especially dragging due to excessive exposition and a lack of urgency. While there are some well-executed action blocks and a standout AI-driven flashback cut in the climax, these moments arrive too late to save the overall flow. The emotional beats feel surface-level, and the revenge arc—though serviceable—has been seen countless times before. For a director known for redefining Tamil commercial cinema, Coolie is surprisingly conventional and safe.
Performances
Rajinikanth (Devaraj “Deva”)
The Superstar brings his trademark swagger and screen presence, delivering whistle-worthy moments when given the space. However, Lokesh underplays his role, leading to fewer high-voltage scenes than fans would expect. Rajini still manages to anchor the film with charisma, but this isn’t his most memorable outing.
Soubin Shahir (Dayalan)
Soubin brings authenticity to his portrayal of a fellow coolie caught in the crossfire. His grounded acting adds depth to the otherwise uneven emotional stakes, though his screen time feels limited in the larger narrative.
Upendra (Kaleesha)
Upendra is an absolute delight, bringing raw energy and unpredictability to his role. His performance adds spice to the proceedings, and he makes the most of every frame he’s in.
Nagarjuna (Simon Xavier)
Perhaps the most refreshing performance in Coolie, Nagarjuna shines in a morally grey role. His charm and controlled aggression make Simon Xavier a captivating presence, although his arc is disappointingly sidelined in the second half.
Aamir Khan (Dahaa – Special Appearance)
Aamir’s cameo is wasted potential. While his entry generates curiosity, the character is underwritten and contributes little to the plot, making it feel like a forced addition.
Sathyaraj (Rajasekar)
Veteran Sathyaraj brings gravitas and dignity to his role, portraying Deva’s ideological counterpart with ease. His scenes with Rajini are among the few emotionally engaging portions.
Shruti Haasan (Preethi Rajasekar)
Shruti plays her part with grace, but like several other characters, she’s underutilized. Her role feels more like a functional plot device than a fully fleshed-out character.
Technical Brilliance
Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography captures the gritty port-town backdrop effectively, though it lacks the visual polish of Lokesh’s earlier works. Philomin Raj’s editing struggles with pacing, especially in the first half. Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is pulsating in action moments but fails to leave a lasting impact overall. Production values are middling for a film of this scale, and the grand spectacle one expects from a Lokesh-Rajini collaboration feels missing.
Final Verdict
Coolie is a classic case of high expectations meeting middling execution. While Rajinikanth’s screen presence, a solid Nagarjuna turn, and a few standout sequences keep it from sinking completely, the sluggish screenplay, formulaic plotting, and lack of emotional heft make this Lokesh Kanagaraj’s weakest outing yet. Fans might find moments to cheer for, but as a complete package, Coolie ends up being an average revenge drama that never quite rises above mediocrity.
