Coolie is a 2025 Tamil action movie directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures. The film stars Rajinikanth in the lead role, with Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Soubin Shahir in important roles. Released in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, the movie tells the story of Deva, a former coolie who fights against a powerful crime gang to seek justice for his friend. With exciting action scenes, popular songs by Anirudh Ravichander, and special appearances by famous actors, Coolie has become one of the most popular and successful Indian films of 2025.
| Coolie | Overview |
| Genre | Action, Thriller |
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Producer | Kalanithi Maran (Sun Pictures) |
| Writer / Screenplay | Lokesh Kanagaraj, Chandhru Anbazhagan |
| Cast | Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Rachita Ram; special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde |
| Release Date | August 14, 2025 |
| Plot | Coolie tells the story of Deva, a former coolie and union leader, who investigates the mysterious death of his friend. He faces a powerful crime syndicate and fights to bring justice. The film mixes thrilling action, drama, and Rajinikanth’s signature style, showing the battle between good and evil. |
| Themes | The film explores themes of justice, courage, loyalty, friendship, and standing up against corruption. It shows how one brave person can make a difference and fight powerful forces. |
| Performances | Rajinikanth delivers a strong performance as Deva, full of style and energy. Nagarjuna and Upendra give solid support, while Shruti Haasan and Soubin Shahir add emotional depth. Special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde add extra excitement. |
| Action & Visuals | The film is praised for high-energy stunts, slick cinematography, and dynamic editing. Its action scenes and large-scale sequences create a thrilling and entertaining experience. |
| Music | Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the soundtrack features energetic songs that match the film’s fast-paced action and enhance the entertainment value. |
| Critical Reception | Coolie received positive reviews for Rajinikanth’s performance, exciting action, and star-studded cast. Some critics mentioned minor issues with the screenplay, but audiences loved the film’s energy and mass appeal. |
| Box Office Performance | Coolie has grossed over ₹510 crore worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2025. It performed strongly in India and overseas, especially in the USA, UAE, and Malaysia. |
| Overall | Coolie is a blockbuster action film that combines thrilling sequences, strong performances, and star power. It entertains fans of action movies, Rajinikanth supporters, and audiences who enjoy high-energy mass entertainers. |
IMDb
Coolie holds a rating of 6.4/10 on IMDb, based on over 15,000 user reviews. The film has been praised for Rajinikanth’s performance and the high-energy action sequences. However, some viewers noted that the screenplay lacked depth, and a few felt the film didn’t fully capitalize on its star power. While many appreciated the entertainment value, others felt the film didn’t live up to expectations.
Budget
The estimated budget for Coolie is around ₹350–400 crore. The investment focused on large-scale action sequences, high-quality visual effects, star-studded casting, and production design to create a blockbuster cinematic experience.
Box Office Revenue
As of August 19, 2025, Coolie has surpassed ₹208 crore (approximately US$25 million) in worldwide box office earnings. The film performed strongly in domestic markets and overseas, particularly in North America, where it became the third-highest-grossing Tamil film, surpassing 2.0 in just four days.
Critical Reception
Coolie received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and audiences:
- Times of India: Described it as “A thumping ode to Rajinikanth’s legacy—packed with energy, nostalgia, and mass appeal,” awarding it 3.5 stars.
- NDTV: Praised the film as a “terrific tribute to 50 years of Rajinikanth in Indian cinema,” highlighting its action and nostalgia.
- Koimoi: Noted that despite a 29% drop on the third day, Coolie delivered the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 in 72 hours.
- Indian Express: Reported that Coolie crossed ₹200 crore on its fifth day, despite a 65% drop on the first Monday.
Conclusion
Coolie is a high-budget Tamil action film that combines thrilling sequences, star-studded performances, and mass-entertainer appeal. While it has received mixed reviews, its commercial success and Rajinikanth’s commanding performance make it a significant entry in Indian cinema. The film also showcases Lokesh Kanagaraj’s signature style of blending action with engaging storytelling. Overall, Coolie has become a memorable blockbuster for fans of Rajinikanth and Tamil cinema alike.