Lokesh Kanagaraj’s high-octane mass entertainer Coolie serves as a grand tribute to Thalaiva Rajinikanth, celebrating his remarkable 50 years in cinema. Released on August 14, a day before India’s 79th Independence Day, the much-anticipated 2025 blockbuster created a frenzy from the moment it hit theatres.
Titled Coolie – The Powerhouse, the big-budget spectacle boasts a star-studded cast including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan. With expectations sky-high, the hype was so intense that early morning shows were packed with eager fans.
The film follows Rajinikanth’s revenge saga against formidable foes played by Nagarjuna and Soubin Shahir, aided by 19 loyal coolies. Alongside the action, the movie explores a heartfelt father-daughter relationship between Rajinikanth and Shruti Haasan, for whom he risks everything. Here’s the full review of this adrenaline-fueled action drama.
Coolie Story Highlights
The film opens with Simon Xavier (Nagarjuna Akkineni), a powerful smuggler who runs an illegal network with the help of his trusted aide Dayal (Soubin Shahir) — an undercover police constable gone rogue. Together, they traffic gold watches and even human organs. Meanwhile, Simon’s son Arjun, a customs officer, tries to distance himself from his father’s crimes.
When an undercover cop infiltrates the port disguised as a porter, Dayal discovers and kills him. Soon after, Dayal announces there’s another undercover officer among the porters, offering ₹2 crore to anyone who exposes him.
Enter Devaraj “Deva” (Rajinikanth), who runs a modest masonry that houses 19 porters and several students under strict no-smoking, no-drinking rules. Life takes a brutal turn when Deva learns his close friend Rajasekar (Sathyaraj) has been murdered. At the funeral, we meet Preeti (Shruti Haasan), Rajasekar’s daughter, who harbors resentment towards Deva. Later, Deva discovers Preeti is actually his biological daughter, raised by Rajasekar without his knowledge.
As Deva hunts for his friend’s killer, he learns about a special chair built by Shekhar that can cremate animals — or enemies — to ashes. Simon also learns of it and coerces Deva into using it in exchange for funding his daughters’ education. Eventually, Deva and Preeti team up to take revenge for Rajasekar’s death.
The tension escalates when Dayal murders Simon’s son and kidnaps Deva’s daughter. Simon learns Dayal’s true nature too late, leading to a shocking act of violence. In a heated confrontation, Deva reveals Simon’s dark past — framing over 500 porters in a false drug case, including Deva’s own father. This revelation triggers an intense showdown.
In a spectacular climax, Deva and Telugu star Upendra Rao (as coolie Kaleesha) take on Simon in a high-voltage fight, ending his reign. Just when the dust settles, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan storms in as Dahaa, forming an alliance with Deva — but the story closes as it began: with bloodshed. In the final twist, Deva eliminates the ultimate traitor, Dayal, burying him for good.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Direction
Lokesh Kanagaraj once again proves why he’s one of the most sought-after filmmakers in Indian cinema. With Coolie, he crafts a gripping vision and brings it alive on the big screen with remarkable finesse. Known for his mastery over action-driven storytelling, Lokesh ensures every element — from the tightly woven plot to the explosive fight sequences — lands with impact. His handling of the star-studded cast, sharp dialogues, and grand visuals makes Coolie a true cinematic spectacle that keeps audiences hooked from start to finish
Rajinikanth’s Power-Packed Performance in Coolie
Rajinikanth sets the screen ablaze in Coolie with his commanding presence, razor-sharp dialogues, and electrifying action. His dashing look and larger-than-life energy have once again sent fans into a frenzy. Post-climax, the film delivers even more high-octane, suspense-laden sequences that showcase the superstar at his absolute best, leaving the audience no choice but to applaud his unmatched charisma.
Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, and Supporting Cast Impact
While Rajinikanth dominates Coolie, the supporting cast adds significant depth and flair. Nagarjuna delivers a compelling performance as the ruthless gangster Simon, infusing the role with menace and gravitas. Aamir Khan’s cameo as Dahaa is short but impactful, earning him plenty of buzz and leaving audiences eager for more.
Soubin Shahir stands out as the fierce and unpredictable Dayal, winning hearts with both his menacing villainy and an energetic dance performance. Pooja Hegde lights up the screen in a special dance number as Monica, sharing electrifying chemistry with Soubin in the catchy “Monica” song. Together, the ensemble ensures Coolie remains engaging well beyond its central hero.
Coolie Background Score and Songs by Anirudh
Anirudh Ravichander once again proves why he’s one of the most sought-after composers in Indian cinema. After delivering chart-topping music for Master, Vikram, and Leo, he reunites with Lokesh Kanagaraj for the fourth time, bringing his signature energy to Coolie. This also marks his fifth collaboration with Rajinikanth, following Petta, Darbar (2020), Jailer, and Vettaiyaan.
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The film’s audio rights are with Sun Pictures, and its music rollout kept the hype alive. The peppy Chikitu dropped on June 25, 2025, followed by the sizzling dance track Monica on July 11, 2025. On July 22, 2025, the adrenaline-pumping Powerhouse hit the airwaves, and the grand audio launch for the background score took place on August 2, 2025, at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium.
Anirudh’s pulsating background score elevates every high-voltage action scene in Coolie, breathing life into its most intense moments and ensuring the audience feels every beat of the drama.
Editing Sequences
The editing in Coolie is razor-sharp, ensuring every action sequence lands with maximum impact. Under the skilled hands of editor Philomin Raj and with Girish Gangadharan’s dynamic cinematography, the film’s pacing remains tight and engaging from start to finish.
One standout element is the chilling “ash chair” sequence, where a person is seated and instantly reduced to ashes. The seamless blend of effects and editing makes it so realistic that audiences can’t help but wonder how the scene was crafted. Each cut and transition adds to the film’s intensity, keeping viewers hooked and on the edge of their seats.
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