The cast brings together heavyweights from across Indian cinema. Rajinikanth headlines the film, with Sathyaraj reuniting with him on screen after almost 38 years, their last collaboration being the 1986 hit Mr Bharath
Lokesh Kanagaraj expresses deep gratitude to Superstar Rajinikanth for what he calls “bringing my vision to life through him” in Coolie, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest action spectacles in recent memory.
The director says the film holds a special place in his career, not only because of the scale and ambition but because of the experience of working with Rajinikanth. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my Thalaivar, Rajinikanth sir, for giving me the opportunity to craft this film with complete creative freedom and to bring my vision to life through him,” Lokesh shares. “#Coolie will always be a special film in my journey, and the reason it shaped up the way it did, with everyone pouring their hearts into it, is because of you, Thalaivar.”
He adds, “Will forever be grateful for this opportunity and the conversations we’ve shared both on and off the film. These are moments I will always cherish and never forget. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for continuously inspiring all of us — and hearty congratulations on completing 50 glorious years of making us love you, learn from you, and grow with you.”
Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister and actor-producer, congratulates Rajinikanth on the milestone and praises Coolie as a “power-packed mass entertainer.” Having already watched the film, he describes it as “a thoroughly enjoyable ride” and applauds the entire cast and crew, including Sathyaraj, Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, Anirudh Ravichander, and Sun Pictures.
The cast brings together heavyweights from across Indian cinema. Rajinikanth headlines the film, with Sathyaraj reuniting with him on screen after almost 38 years, their last collaboration being the 1986 hit Mr Bharath. The story sees Rajinikanth’s character — a close friend of Sathyaraj — stepping out of a quiet life to protect him from grave danger, despite protests from his daughter, played by Shruti Haasan. Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Upendra, and Soubin Shahir add further star power, each delivering performances that heighten the drama and action.
Lokesh credits his cast for making the journey memorable: “A special thanks to the incredible cast who made this journey even more special — King Nagarjuna sir, Real Star Upendra sir, Soubin sir, Sathyaraj sir, Shruti Haasan, and my dear Aamir Khan sir, whose presence added a unique dimension to the film.”
The director also pays tribute to his crew, calling them the backbone of the project. “Over nearly two years and 140 days of shooting, they gave their all to support and realise this vision. I will forever be grateful to every single person who contributed to Coolie in any way,” he says. Lokesh’s frequent collaborator, composer Anirudh Ravichander, delivers the soundtrack, marking his fourth consecutive project with the filmmaker. Girish Gangadharan handles the cinematography, while Philomin Raj edits the film.
Shot with a scale that spans continents, Coolie has already achieved landmark status in Tamil cinema as one of the most widespread international releases for an Indian film, reaching audiences in over 100 countries. Hamsini Entertainment, a major player in global distribution, backed its overseas rollout, making it the highest overseas procurement for a Tamil production to date.
The film’s narrative centres on gold smuggling, blending Lokesh’s signature high-octane action with strong emotional beats. The trailer showcases Rajinikanth in peak form — effortlessly switching between moments of quiet intensity and explosive action sequences. His chemistry with Sathyaraj taps into decades of audience nostalgia, while his dynamic with Shruti Haasan adds fresh emotional conflict.
Notably, Coolie is a standalone film and not part of Lokesh’s much-discussed Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). This allows the director to experiment freely with tone and story, unbound by the interconnections of his other works like Vikram and Leo.
Rajinikanth’s 50th year in cinema adds a celebratory layer to the film’s reception. From his debut in Apoorva Raagangal to genre-defining hits like Baasha, Padayappa, Endhiran, Kabali, and Kaala, the superstar has maintained an unmatched blend of style, mass appeal, and humility. Coolie serves as both a tribute to his career and proof of his continuing relevance in modern cinema.
Lokesh closes his reflections with a message to audiences: “Thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me and this film. Coolie belongs to you now. I hope you have a spectacular theatrical experience — and please, no spoilers.”
With its massive scale, all-star cast, and a director-actor pairing that blends youthful energy with timeless charisma, Coolie stands as a milestone — not only in Rajinikanth’s golden jubilee year but also in Tamil cinema’s expanding global reach.
