Whenever a Rajinikanth film lands in theatres, it isnt just another Friday releaseit feels like a celebration. I still remember queueing up in endless lines years ago, with fans waving giant cutouts, tossing confetti, and dancing to drum beats before the first show. Watching Coolie last weekend brought back the same feeling of being part of something larger than cinema. The whistles during his entry, the chants of Thalaivar!, and the sheer electricity in the hall reminded me once again that a Rajini movie is less of a screening and more of a festival. By the time I stepped out, it felt as though I had attended a grand gathering rather than just a film.
Plot
Coolie revolves around Deva(Rajinikanth), a once-revered coolie union leader who has long stepped away from the frontlines. His quiet life takes a sharp turn when his childhood friend dies under suspicious circumstances. What initially seems like an unfortunate accident slowly unravels into a deeper conspiracy connected to a sprawling smuggling network operating out of Chennais busy port.
Forced back into action, Deva begins his search for the truth, which brings him face to face with a merciless crime boss(Nagarjuna) whose operations stretch from shady port deals to political power plays. Along the way, we see touching momentsDevas emotional bond with Soubin Shahirs character provides warmth, while Shruti Haasans brief appearance hints at his softer, more personal side. The first half moves briskly, but the second half drags as multiple subplots clutter the narrative, leading to an overstretched climax.
Performances
Rajinikanth as Deva
Rajini is the heartbeat of Coolie. His towering presence, charisma, and action energy light up every frame. Considering his age, the way he carries off the fight sequences is extraordinary. He turns even ordinary moments into spectacle.
Nagarjuna as the Villain
Marking his first real foray into a grey-shaded role, Nagarjuna delivers menace with style. His screen presence adds heft, though the writing doesnt fully flesh out his character arc.
Soubin Shahir
A delight to watch. In a relatively understated role, he brings sincerity and adds emotional depth to the narrative.
Upendra
Unfortunately underutilized. His character shows potential for emotional impact but isnt given enough weight in the storyline.
Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj & Others
The supporting cast fits well into the larger ensemble, though none take focus away from the central track. Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde appear in special numbers, with Hegdes Monica song stealing the spotlight and trending across social platforms.
Action Sequences
The action design in Coolie clearly takes inspiration from Lokesh Kanagarajs gritty, high-voltage style.
Highlights:
The choreography makes smart use of Rajinis trademark styleslow-motion moves, sharp punches, and his flair for turning ordinary objects(chains, hooks, carts, sacks of rice) into weapons.
The large-scale dockyard sequence at the beginning and the adrenaline-filled train fight towards the end deliver the kind of mass spectacle fans crave.
The interval block is a true show-stopperalmost like a short film in itself, and Rajini is at his most fiery here.
Weak Spots:
Certain sequences, especially the train set-piece, rely too heavily on CGI and dont always feel polished.
The repetitive henchman brawls in the later half dull some of the impact.
Verdict on Action:
Not exactly pathbreaking, but thoroughly entertaining. These are the kind of set pieces that make fans whistle, clap, and cheer mid-sceneeven if they dont break new ground.
Soundtrack
Anirudh Ravichander once again shows why he has become the soundtrack king for modern Tamil blockbusters.
Strengths:
Intro Song Singaaram A thunderous opening anthem that sends fans into a frenzy the moment Rajini walks on screen.
Background Score Edgy, electronic-heavy beats raise the intensity of action scenes. The pre-interval warehouse fight, in particular, owes its impact as much to Anirudhs score as to the choreography.
Monica Song A high-energy dance number that exploded online. Pooja Hegdes presence turns it into a visual and musical spectacle.
Weaknesses:
The slower romantic track, while pleasant, feels out of place and disrupts pacing.
At times, the loud score overshadows subtle emotional scenes.
Verdict on Music:
Packed with energy and flair, the music perfectly matches Rajinis on-screen magnetism. Even when the plot loses steam, Anirudhs work keeps the excitement alive.
Final Words
Coolie is not without flawsthe second half gets bogged down by extra subplots, and several supporting characters dont reach their potential. But Rajinikanths towering performance, the whistle-worthy action, and Anirudhs pulsating soundtrack make it an event film worth experiencing on the big screen.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
(For die-hard Rajini fans: push it to an 8/10, because the goosebumps are real.)