By your Entertainment Journalist
Following the runaway success of Leo and Vikram, filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj reunites with icon Rajinikanth for Coolie—an epic Tamil action thriller that aims to make a seismic impact this August.
🛠️ Genesis & Filmmaking
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Project announcement & production: Officially unveiled as Thalaivar 171 in September 2023 and retitled Coolie in April 2024, principal photography began mid‑2024, spanning Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok
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Crew highlights:
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Director & Writers: Lokesh Kanagaraj (story/screenplay) alongside Chandhru Anbazhagan.
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Music: Anirudh Ravichander – marking his fifth collaboration with Rajini and fourth with Lokesh.
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Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj.
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Casting: Apart from Rajinikanth, the ensemble includes Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan.
🔥 Premise & Themes
Coolie dives into a protagonist’s lifelong quest for vengeance, shaped by harrowing childhood experiences . While details are kept tight under Lokesh’s trademark narrative secrecy, initial glimpses hint at desperation, sacrifice, and one man’s unbreakable resolve.
🎶 Music & Marketing Surges
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The teaser dropped on 22 April 2024, interweaving Easter eggs from Rajinikanth’s iconic past roles—Mullum Malarum, Mannan, Uzhaippali—and familiar dialogues, triggering nostalgia.
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Title track “Coolie Disco” surfaced alongside the teaser, followed by the retro-infused “Chikitu Vibe” on Rajini’s birthday, both scoring high fan anticipation.
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A third track, “Coolie Powerhouse”, along with a BTS video, spotlighted the superstar’s magnetism and Anirudh's booming action score.
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Composer Anirudh revealed Rajinikanth enjoyed the “Tapori”-flavored Chikitu despite its dance challenge—he “found it difficult, but loved it”.
💰 Scale & Box Office Forecast
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Budgeted between ₹350–375 crore, this may become the most expensive Tamil production to date .
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Pre-release revenues are led by a record-setting ₹110 crore OTT deal with Amazon Prime Video, along with substantial satellite and audio sales.
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Overseas theatrical rights head towards ₹80 crore—a new benchmark within Tamil cinema.
📅 Release Plans & Public Buzz
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Scheduled theatrically for 14 August 2025, it conflicts with War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, setting up a pan-Indian showdown.
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Pan-Indian reach extends via dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, along with IMAX screenings.
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Nagarjuna, describing his role in one word—“freedom”—has fuelled audience curiosity.
✍️ What to Watch For
Element | Reason to Watch |
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Rajinikanth | His veteran charisma anchors the film—his dance-heavy Chikitu hints at new facets. |
Lokesh’s Vision | Expect signature tension, brutal realism, and Tamil mainstream flair. |
Anirudh’s Score | The pulsating tracks have energized fans ahead of release. |
Star Cast | A powerhouse line-up armed with mass appeal and intriguing dynamics. |
Big Budget | Raises stakes—will grandeur translate to global box office success? |
🧭 Final Word
Coolie (2025) positions itself as a grand-scale action thriller with emotional depth, high production values, and a powerhouse ensemble. It blends fan nostalgia with a fresh narrative and marks a critical moment in Tamil cinema’s ambition for world-stage impact.
If Lokesh balances Rajini’s mass persona with taut drama, and Anirudh’s music sparks, this could be one of 2025’s defining cinematic events—especially in the intense IPL-style clash with War 2.
Stay tuned as we inch closer to August. Expect expert reviews, box office tallies, and fan reaction roundups.
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