Coolie Full Movie Review: Rajinikanth’s Coolie walked into theatres with the kind of buzz only a superstar can carry. From teaser drops to song releases like “Monica” and “Powerhouse,” the film had set social media on fire weeks before release. On Day 1, that hype translated into a thunderous start at the Indian box office, with the film collecting an impressive ₹65 crore net, one of the biggest openings of 2025. But once the first show ended, audience reactions began to tell a different story.
The real strength of Coolie is Rajinikanth, the same old style, the same swag, and the same full energy he had decades ago. Every time he appears on screen, the theatre erupts with claps and whistles. The 50-year milestone tribute was well-deserved, and the film delivers on that. However, the role itself offers nothing new, feeling quite similar to his earlier mass-hero characters. Lokesh couldn’t fully utilise Rajinikanth’s stardom in terms of fresh presentation, and at times, the focus on him left other characters underdeveloped. Still, whenever Rajini is on screen, the film feels alive.
Despite the heavy pre-release buzz, Aamir Khan’s role in Coolie is barely more than an extended cameo. His late entry is stylish, arriving in a helicopter, tattoos on display, gun in hand, but the impact fizzles quickly. He plays the “boss of bosses” in the syndicate, yet the character is thinly written and lacks the menace or depth to match the hype. Aamir delivers what the director asks of him, but there’s little scope for him to leave a mark. In the end, his presence feels more like a marketing hook than an essential part of the story.
Shobin Shahir steals the show even in dance sequences and as a villain his performance is highly commendable. Despite being a Malayalam actor, he shines in every scene. Nagarjuna’s presence in Coolie is powerful, and his “I am the danger” song is a complete standout. Nagarjuna, as the main villain, looks visually strong, but his character doesn’t fully develop. Shobin, who wasn’t technically the main villain, still manages to grab credit because of his screen presence and performance, whereas Nagarjuna’s role doesn’t have the impact it could have.
Coolie received an A certificate mainly because of its extreme violence. The film is packed with raw action, fight sequences, and intense confrontations, which are more graphic than usual for mainstream Indian cinema. There’s no nudity, no sexual content, and no abusive language, so it’s still family-watchable in terms of themes, but the sheer amount of brutal action earned it the adult rating. Scenes are heavy, relentless, and realistic in their portrayal of danger and combat. Even though music, performances, and choreography like Shobin Shahir’s villainous energy elevate the film, the violence dominates enough to warrant an A certificate, keeping casual or younger viewers on the sidelines.
The background music in Coolie is perfectly placed, with RDX’s composition enhancing every major scene exactly where it was needed. Songs like Nagarjuna’s I Am the Danger and the Coolie: The Powerhouse track set the theatre alive. At the same time, the entries of Aamir Khan and Upendra didn’t get the same musical punch, which slightly diminished their on-screen impact.
Upendra’s role, though brief, added flavour to the ensemble, but didn’t have much scope to shine.
Despite some loose moments in the storyline and occasional abrupt emotional-action shifts, the film still managed to keep audiences engaged. The narrative, centring on a daughter in danger and a Father’s friend stepping in to protect her, eventually unfolds into a standard mass masala format, blending emotion, tribute, and action.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction gave each actor a distinct presence, and Anirudh’s music elevated key scenes, though a few nostalgic touches. Overall, Coolie is a visually engaging, star-studded entertainer that delivers on excitement, even if it falls short of creating the goosebumps-inducing, edge-of-the-seat experience many had hoped for.
