‘Coolie’ movie review: A ‘power house’ Rajinikanth spectacle with moments of glory, missed potential

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Coolie’, one of the most anticipated films of the year, lives up to much of the hype. Fan forums and rumour mills had been buzzing for months about the Lokesh–Rajini collaboration and how it might fit into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) that delivered hits like ‘Vikram’, ‘Leo’, and ‘Kaithi’. However, Lokesh has chosen to keep ‘Coolie’ outside the LCU for now, presenting it instead as a tribute to the Superstar.

That said, the influence of the LCU is unmistakable, especially in the way Rajinikanth is crafted as a larger-than-life, almost superhero-like figure. If you’re a ‘Thalaivar’ fanboy, this one is tailor-made for you.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way, ‘Coolie’ is a total entertainer. If you love Rajinikanth, you will lap this up. From the very start, you get that trademark Rajini swagger. He walks into a scene and the world seems to pause for a moment. His character, Deva, is a former coolie who now runs a hostel. When his friend Rajashekharan (Sathyaraj) dies under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind three daughters, Deva embarks on a mission to uncover the truth. It’s a classic revenge plot, but Lokesh adds enough twists and layers to keep it from feeling like a repeat of Rajini’s earlier films.

The villains, played by Nagarjuna and Soubin Shahir, keep the tension high. Nagarjuna as Simon is effortlessly cool — a villain you might like more than you should. Stylish and composed, he carries a menacing yet charming aura. Soubin Shahir, as Dayaal, Simon’s right-hand man, is almost unrecognisable. His gritty, intense performance shows the effort he has put into making the character his own.

However, the film is not without its bumps. The first half feels sluggish, with uneven pacing and a plot that takes time to grip you. While it sets up for something big, the punch is delayed. The emotional revenge arc is familiar, and when the story branches off in other directions, they don’t always come together smoothly. It’s as if the film is searching for its rhythm, which it only finds much later.

Even in the second half, the pace is better, but the plot grows more scattered. The spectacle is intact, but there is an emotional disconnect; you’re dazzled by the visuals and moments, but the heart of the story feels underdeveloped.

On the plus side, Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is electric, particularly in Rajini’s big moments. The music perfectly complements his screen presence. Songs like ‘Monica’, featuring Soubin Shahir and Pooja Hegde, are catchy, with Soubin’s performance in it standing out. The action sequences, especially those set in the hostel, are well-executed, with dynamic camerawork adding punch to the stunts. Rajini fans will relish the anti-hero shades, which are clearly designed for applause.

Shruti Haasan, as Preeti, delivers what is expected, lending the role a grounded feel. However, the character soon slips into the ‘damsel in distress’ mould, with scenes where she is simply left waiting to be attacked.

There’s also a cameo by Aamir Khan, but it doesn’t land as intended. Instead of elevating the climax, his appearance undercuts the build-up. It ends up as an attempted Sardar joke, a poor one.

In the end, ‘Coolie’ is a fun ride for Rajinikanth fans. If you’re here for the charisma, style, and swagger, you’ll get exactly that. But casual viewers might find the loose ends and scattered storytelling a bit frustrating. The film delivers the swag in spades, but it never fully ties everything together.