Coolie is a star-studded Tamil-language action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures, set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2025—India’s Independence Day weekend.
⭐ Cast & Crew
- Rajinikanth stars as Deva aka Coolie, the film’s rugged lead
- Nagarjuna Akkineni plays Simon, a character described as embodying “freedom”
- Sathyaraj, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, and Reba Monica John in key roles
- Aamir Khan makes a surprise cameo
- Pooja Hegde features in a special song sequence
- Music: Anirudh Ravichander
- Cinematography: Girish Gangadharan
- Editing: Philomin Raj
- Producer: Kalanithi Maran (Sun Pictures)
🎬 Budget & Production
- With a staggering ₹350–375 crore budget, Coolie ranks among India’s most expensive films
- Principal photography took place from July 2024 to March 2025, across Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok
- A grand 41,000 sq ft set erected at Ramoji Film City, backed by a crew of 900+
- Post-production and music production intensified as the team raced to meet deadlines
- Overseas rights sold for ₹68 crore, and major OTT/satellite deals were secured early
📝 Plot & Storyline
The teaser suggests a gritty action-thriller with Deva at its core—possibly a reimagined “coolie” hero. Expect powerful combat, high-stakes cat-and-mouse sequences, and themes of redemption and justice. Nagarjuna’s role, centered on “freedom,” hints at deeper narrative layers, while the cameo by Aamir Khan adds extra intrigue.
🎞️ First Look & Trailer
- Teaser: Dropped in April 2024, packed with Rajinikanth’s signature swag
- Trailer & Music Teaser: Cue new visuals and an impactful song titled “Coolie Powerhouse”, which boosted fan excitement
- A special 100-day countdown teaser reignited buzz, blending nostalgia (“Thalapathi” vibe) with contemporary action
📅 Release Date & Formats
- Release Date: August 14, 2025 (also in IMAX)
- Languages: Original Tamil with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam
- Home Media & OTT: Rights pre-sold to Amazon Prime Video and Sun TV, with streaming expected ~6–8 weeks post-release
💡 Interesting Info
- Superstar Rajinikanth reportedly earned ₹280 crore, making him one of Asia’s highest-paid actors
- Filming included a leaked fire incident at a Visakhapatnam harbour set, which delayed production
- The soundtrack by Anirudh, especially “Coolie Powerhouse,” received viral reception
- Trade buzz on SSR Movies spotlights the film’s massive scale, ensemble cast, and high-stakes release timing
🌟 Why You Should Watch This Movie?
This film marks the reunion of Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj, blending the superstar’s flair with Lokesh’s modern-direction style. With a colossal budget, ensemble cast, and release aligned with Independence Day, Coolie is shaping up to be one of 2025’s biggest cinematic events—packed with action, scale, and star power.
