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Coolie (2025) — Lokesh Kanagaraj’s High-Octane Rajinikanth Spectacle

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 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 Crew highlights : Director & Writers : Lokesh Kanagaraj (story/screenplay) alongside Chandhru Anbazhagan . Music : Anirudh Ravichander – marking his fifth collaboration with Rajini and fourth with Lokesh . Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj . 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 ....

Coolie (2025) — Lokesh Kanagaraj’s High-Octane Rajinikanth Spectacle

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

  • 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

  • Crew highlights:

    • Director & Writers: Lokesh Kanagaraj (story/screenplay) alongside Chandhru Anbazhagan.

    • Music: Anirudh Ravichander – marking his fifth collaboration with Rajini and fourth with Lokesh.

    • Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Title track “Coolie Disco” surfaced alongside the teaser, followed by the retro-infused “Chikitu Vibe” on Rajini’s birthday, both scoring high fan anticipation.

  • A third track, “Coolie Powerhouse”, along with a BTS video, spotlighted the superstar’s magnetism and Anirudh's booming action score.

  • Composer Anirudh revealed Rajinikanth enjoyed the “Tapori”-flavored Chikitu despite its dance challenge—he “found it difficult, but loved it”.


💰 Scale & Box Office Forecast

  • Budgeted between ₹350–375 crore, this may become the most expensive Tamil production to date .

  • Pre-release revenues are led by a record-setting ₹110 crore OTT deal with Amazon Prime Video, along with substantial satellite and audio sales.

  • Overseas theatrical rights head towards ₹80 crore—a new benchmark within Tamil cinema.


📅 Release Plans & Public Buzz

  • Scheduled theatrically for 14 August 2025, it conflicts with War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, setting up a pan-Indian showdown.

  • Pan-Indian reach extends via dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, along with IMAX screenings.

  • Nagarjuna, describing his role in one word—“freedom”—has fuelled audience curiosity.


✍️ What to Watch For

ElementReason to Watch
RajinikanthHis veteran charisma anchors the film—his dance-heavy Chikitu hints at new facets.
Lokesh’s VisionExpect signature tension, brutal realism, and Tamil mainstream flair.
Anirudh’s ScoreThe pulsating tracks have energized fans ahead of release.
Star CastA powerhouse line-up armed with mass appeal and intriguing dynamics.
Big BudgetRaises 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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