Coolie: Difference between revisions

During the filming of Master in late 2019, director Lokesh Kanagaraj met Rajinikanth at his Chennai home and narrated a script that impressed him. The project was planned to be Rajinikanth’s 169th film, produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, with filming expected to start in April 2020. However, it was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Rajinikanth’s prior commitments to Annaatthe (2021).

Some reports claimed the project was cancelled due to Rajinikanth’s political plans, while others said it was still active. In August 2020, Lokesh neither confirmed nor denied it, saying only the producers could comment. Instead, he moved on to work with Kamal Haasan on Vikram (2022). Rajinikanth’s actual 169th film became Jailer (2023), directed by Nelson Dilipkumar.

Talks of a Lokesh–Rajinikanth film resurfaced in April 2023, and a photoshoot reportedly took place in May. Actors Mysskin and Babu Antony, who had worked with Lokesh in Leo (2023), also hinted at the collaboration. In July, Lokesh again avoided confirming it, but on 11 September, Sun Pictures officially announced the film as Thalaivar 171. This was Rajinikanth’s fifth film with Sun Pictures after Enthiran (2010), Petta (2019), Annaatthe (2021), and Jailer (2023).

Lokesh was paid ₹50 crore for the project—twice his fee for Leo—while Rajinikanth reportedly earned ₹150 crore. The official title, Coolie, was revealed on 22 April 2024. Lokesh said the film would be a standalone story (not part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe) and would focus on gold smuggling, instead of the drug-related plots in his earlier films.

In an interview with Baradwaj Rangan, Lokesh Kanagaraj said he originally wrote the script in 2015 while working on the post-production of Maanagaram (2017), and it was first meant for a friend. After Rajinikanth showed interest, Lokesh reworked the screenplay in late 2023 to match Rajinikanth’s image, and toned down the violence at the actor’s request. The first half of the script alone took six months to complete.

Writer Rathna Kumar, a longtime collaborator of Lokesh, left the project due to scheduling issues and was replaced by Chandhru Anbazhagan, who had worked with Lokesh on Maanagaram. Pre-production and casting began in December 2023, with filming initially planned for April 2024.

Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa was first attached but later replaced by Girish Gangadharan, who had worked with Lokesh on Vikram. Anirudh Ravichander returned as music composer for his fourth straight film with Lokesh. Most of Lokesh’s regular crew also returned, including stunt choreographers Anbariv, editor Philomin Raj, costume designer Praveen Raja, and production designer N. Sathees Kumar.

Lokesh confirmed the film would be shot using IMAX-certified cameras—a first for Tamil cinema—and would use digital de-aging technology for flashback scenes of a younger Rajinikanth, similar to its use in Vikram (2022).

The final phase of pre-production started in early April 2024 with the filming of a promotional teaser. Although shooting was initially set for March 2024, it was delayed to June because of set construction delays.

Rajinikanth will sport a grey-shaded hairstyle and beard, similar to his look in Kaala (2018). Director Lokesh Kanagaraj said he wanted to show a darker side of Rajinikanth’s character, like in some of his earlier films. Sathyaraj plays Rajasekar, marking his reunion with Rajinikanth after 38 years, since Mr. Bharath (1986).

Nagarjuna plays Simon and praised Lokesh’s modern “Gen Z” filmmaking style. He said the role felt “very liberating” and was happy to play an antagonist, though he was finalised only after six or seven meetings with Lokesh. Soubin Shahir makes his Tamil debut as Dayal, a role first offered to Fahadh Faasil, who declined due to scheduling conflicts. Upendra plays Kaleesha, marking his return to Tamil cinema after 16 years since Satyam (2008). Shruti Haasan, who had worked with Lokesh earlier in a music video, was confirmed in August 2024. She revealed her role, Preethi, is Rajasekar’s (Sathyaraj’s) daughter. The names of the main characters were revealed through posters between late August and early September 2024.

Reba Monica John joined the Hyderabad schedule, though her role was only confirmed in December 2024. Junior MGR joined after a recommendation from Kamal Haasan and lost 23 kg for his role. Monisha Blessy was cast after impressing Lokesh with her performance in Maaveeran (2023). Kaali Venkat, Rishikanth, and Kanna Ravi were confirmed through promotional material. Kannada actress Rachita Ram makes her Tamil debut, and Tamizh and Charle were confirmed through their appearance in the trailer.

In October 2024, reports emerged that Aamir Khan would make a cameo, reuniting with Rajinikanth after Aatank Hi Aatank (1995) and marking his first role in a South Indian production. His presence at the Jaipur shoot in December supported these rumours, and Upendra confirmed his casting in April 2025. Khan said he accepted the role without reading the script out of admiration for Rajinikanth. In July 2025, a character poster revealed his role as Dahaa.

Pooja Hegde will appear as the title character in the dance number “Monica,” which is a tribute to Italian actress Monica Bellucci.

The first look poster for Coolie was released on 28 March 2024 without warning, and it announced that the teaser trailer would come out on 22 April. The teaser also revealed the film’s title.

Critics noticed that the teaser paid tribute to Rajinikanth’s famous coolie roles in Mullum Malarum (1978), Mannan (1992), and Uzhaippali (1993). It also included fun easter eggs from his older films—like him singing "Sambo Siva Sambo" from Ninaithale Inikkum (1979), saying the popular line "Appavum Thaathavum" from Ranga (1982), and whistling the tune of "Shenbagame" from Enga Ooru Pattukaran (1987).

Sun Pictures shared promotional photos of Lokesh Kanagaraj with the main cast, and Shruti Haasan’s first look was especially well-received. After the song "Monica" was released in July 2025, Pooja Hegde’s hook step went viral on social media, with many people recreating it in their own videos. Coolie also became the first Indian film to have Amazon India wrap its delivery packages with the movie’s posters.

The trailer came out on 2 August 2025. Some noted it sparked curiosity because there was also an old, unsuccessful 1983 Malayalam movie called Coolie. Reviewers said the trailer was full of high-energy drama, stylish action, powerful dialogues, Rajinikanth’s signature style, Nagarjuna’s chilling villain role, Aamir Khan’s fresh look, and themes of rage, rebellion, and redemption.