Coolie Review

Coolie is an out-and-out Lokesh Kanagaraj film, free from compromises to accommodate the usual commercial elements of a large-budget movie. Lokesh stays true to a focused screenplay without meandering much, except for the 2 songs and star-studded cameos.

Rajini

Lokesh should be commended for his confidence to make an action-filled movie with 74-year-old Rajini. What an amazing performance by Rajini! The movie includes slightly extended action and dance sequences in Chikitu, clearly showing the hard work he put into rehearsing and delivering. The film is filled with ultra-closeups, with the make-up team doing a great job of not hiding his age while still making him look younger.  

Direction

Lokesh keeps the plot twisting enough to maintain engagement despite the movie’s length. His eye for detail and intricate planning is evident in every scene, many of which are mounted in challenging, sun-scorched locations. The movie is filled with subtle touches without going overboard. For example, the recall to Rajini's Thalapathy is thoughtfully done to evoke nostalgia.

Casting

Coolie is a powerhouse of stars carefully handpicked from each major industry in India. Lokesh doesn’t just elevate Rajini; he ensures Nagarjuna looks ultra-stylish. The script stretches a bit to justify cameos by Upendra and Aamir Khan. Shruthi Haasan delivers a strong, mature performance, adding a softer touch to testosterone-heavy action sequences. Soubin is the surprise package—delivering effortlessly and standing tall alongside Indian cinema stalwarts. 

Technicalities

Anirudh’s background score forms the film’s backbone, giving Rajini the extra push to make every moment work. As always, Anirudh steps in to elevate normal scenes—and even rescue a few incredulous ones. The sound design is so precise that you can feel the impact of each weapon meeting flesh, bone, and muscle. Girish’s camera work keeps scenes visually engaging beyond the star appeal. The editor Philomin Raj takes extra care to ensure cuts don’t expose Rajini’s aging body and movement, especially in fight sequences.

Downside

This is arguably Rajini’s most intense and violent film to date, with an A certificate well-earned by its liberal doses of blood and gore. Parents should respect the certification and avoid bringing young children. The second half’s repetitive fight sequences blur the clarity of Rajini’s motives and the villains’ objectives. The emotional connection between Rajini and Sathyaraj is underdeveloped, weakening the core motivation. As often happens in star-packed, pan-India productions, extra staging for fan service leads to an overlong runtime.

Final Word

Overall, Sun Pictures Coolie delivers big for action lovers and Rajini fans alike, with enough merit to keep audiences engaged while sprinkling in well-conceived mass moments for the ensemble cast. Coolie unapologetically delivers grit, gore, and star power.

Rating: 3.25 / 5