Coolie

The film opens at a bustling port in Vizag, where Kingpin Simon (Nagarjuna) and his aide Dayal (Soubin Shahir) run an illegal operation. After a police diktat stops them from disposing of bodies at sea, they turn to Rajshekhar (Sathyaraj), a former laborer who has invented a chair capable of cremating bodies instantly, leaving only ashes. Originally discarded by the government for its dangerous potential, the invention now falls into the wrong hands. When Rajshekhar is killed, his longtime friend Deva (Rajinikanth), who had been working in the background, steps into the fray. What begins as a mission to uncover his friend's murderer soon unravels secrets from Deva's own past, tying old loose ends to the present conflict.

The first half of Coolie leans heavily into fan service - complete with songs, dances, punch dialogues, and a fair share of swagger. While it slows the film's momentum and spends a bit too long introducing characters who could have been set up more briskly, the second half is where Lokesh really gets cooking and serves up a treat. Multiple cameos here not only land perfectly but also add real weight to the story, with well-timed twists keeping the audience hooked.

Despite its extended runtime, Coolie roars as a tribute to Rajinikanth's legacy - brimming with energy, nostalgia, and unfiltered mass appeal. Learning from the pacing missteps of his last outing, director Lokesh Kanagaraj crafts a tighter, more impactful second half, putting his pan-India stars to good use with well-etched, purposeful characters. Nagarjuna, as drug lord Simon, embraces his villainy with calculated finesse, while Soubin Shahir proves to be another inspired casting choice whose screen presence lingers. Rachita Ram's surprise role emerges as the scene-stealer - effortlessly commanding the frame and delivering one of the smoothest, most organic action sequences in the film. Upendra exudes effortless swagger as Rajini's silent yet formidable right-hand man, matching the superstar's presence blow for blow in the high-octane set pieces.

Rajinikanth, of course, delivers exactly what fans crave - charisma, style, and a commanding screen presence that feels effortless. The flashback portions, especially the Rajini-Sathyaraj sequences, are a treat, as the two icons come together on screen after 40 years. Sathyaraj and Shruti Haasan bring solid support, never tipping into excess, while the mass appeal and emotional beats keep the second half gripping, with well-timed outbursts landing just right. The de-aging of Rajinikanth is pure mass - seamlessly done, it adds a nostalgic punch. Shruthi's character is the anchor of the film. Even Aamir Khan's cameo is smartly placed, adding intrigue without feeling forced. Lokesh seems to have learned from the tonal missteps of his previous outing, striking a smarter balance this time. He directs Rajinikanth with the enthusiasm of a fanboy but never lets it overshadow his own filmmaking sensibilities, blending style, story, and spectacle with confidence. Though this film may not reach the heights of Kaithi or Vikram, it is far from disappointing, delivering a thoroughly entertaining experience that keeps audiences engaged. Anirudh's music is a highlight - the songs are proper crowd-pleasers, and the BGM elevates action sequences brilliantly, though emotional scenes stick to somewhat stereotypical musical cues.

While the first half could have been tighter, the second half more than compensates, making Coolie a high-energy, nostalgic, and entertaining ride for fans. Coolie emerges as one of Rajinikanth's most electrifying outings in recent years, surpassing his previous films in sheer energy and style. It caters not just to die-hard fans but also to casual viewers, balancing nostalgia with interesting storytelling. The cameos, in particular, outshine Lokesh's previous outings, delivering memorable performances that enhance the story without ever feeling forced. With high-octane action, charismatic star power, and well-placed surprises, Coolie is a perfect blend of mass appeal and crowd-pleasing entertainment.

And now, to the million-dollar question - is it part of the LCU ? Lokesh cleverly slips in the word "drug" in the film, leaving it to the fans to decide whether to see it as part of the larger universe or enjoy it as a standalone story.

Honestly, the story feels pretty outdated - some bits work, some don't, but nothing really fresh. The pacing is flat, the narration drags on forever, and the writing just doesn't have that spark.

Rajinikanth is fine, but nowhere near his peak form. Nagarjuna? Totally wasted potential. The rest of the cast... well, let's just say they didn't leave much of an impression.

Music hits okay in a few scenes, but overall nothing that sticks in your head. Cinematography is meh - not bad, not wow. Sets are passable, but nothing grand. Lokesh's direction is probably the biggest letdown... feels like he just wasn't in the zone for this one.

End of the day? Save your time - not worth the watch unless you're a diehard fan who just has to see everything.

Coolie is an unabashedly flamboyant showcase for Rajinikanth, who commands every frame with magnetic ease and vintage swagger, giving a performance that is a reminder of his ongoing dominance on screen as well as a tribute to his 50-year legacy.

Anirudh Ravichander's throbbing score and a stellar supporting cast help Lokesh Kanagaraj stage the action with cinematic bluster. Upendra stands out in his scenes, lending grit and menace to the proceedings. Despite its kinetic highs, the movie falters in the second half, where a convoluted plot and erratic pacing weaken the momentum that was so assuredly established in the first place.

Coolie is a mass entertainer that is solidly satisfying but not perfect, but it does offer a lot of spectacle and star power.

Coolie number 5821 - This is more of a Lokesh (Loki) movie which is driven by our super star Rajnikanth loaded with multiple star casts and Anirudh BGM is very enjoyable and elevated the movie to different level. When Vikram movie came, everyone went crazy because it was a excellent storyline, screenplay etc and it created a Loki universe (LCU) and was a trend setter.

To continue Loki legacy with actor like Rajnikanth, it is difficult to think something completely different story and it may not work as well. So, he sticked on to same (Vikram) kind of a cinematic experience to audience which is really good to see. But there is no concrete storyline to support this movie and audience gets bit confused when this kind of a story moves so fast with not a big purpose (storyline). This movie is really a good one loaded with Rajnikanth swag and style on a big screen and it is a cinematic gift for 50 years completion and also to see Vintage Rajnikanth in falshback gives goosebumps. I like loki movies with the way he takes it in his style and so I like this movie as well and worth to watch in theatres. Actor Soubin Sahir acting was too good and eye catching, Ratchagan hero Nagarjuna is back in negative shade & did a decent job in acting with his style, look & charm, Sathyaraj comes only in flashback and he is too good as usual & Shrutihasan role was really good, cameos by Upendra & Amir khan is really good. Other actors Kanna Ravi, Rachita Ram, Charle did a good supporting role.

Overall, a cinematic gift to our beloved Superstar Rajnikanth at the age of 75 to cherish with overlaoded violence in Loki style and only he can manage these kind of stories with lot of stars studded with excellent screenplay but he needs to move on with different kind of storyline or subjects to continue his legacy forward.

As a fan of Rajini, I thoroughly enjoyed his screen presence and energy throughout the movie. Nagarjuna's negative role was outstanding, especially in the opening sequences, adding a strong impact to the story. Shruti delivered a solid performance, and the background music was excellent, perfectly complementing the mood and action. The second half, however, felt a bit stretched, and Upendra's role could have been utilized better. Aamir's cameo added to the excitement. Overall, a good entertainer with memorable performances and powerful moments.