What is ‘Coolie’ about? What to know about the Indian blockbuster

Coolie delivers thrills, chills, dancing, slashing, and oodles of swag, with beloved Indian superstar Rajinikanth carrying the film to wild success at the worldwide box office.

After breaking records in the realm of Tamil-language cinema with his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), Lokesh Kanagaraj wrote and directed Coolie, which follows Rajinikanth’s former union leader as his investigation into the death of a friend drops him right in the center of a mysterious crime syndicate. Since opening on Aug. 14, Coolie has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Tamil-language films of all time.

Coolie is currently playing in many Western theaters. If you’re curious about the hype, read on for everything to know about Coolie, including its story, cast, and critical reception.

First, who is Rajinikanth?

Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, is an Indian actor who’s amassed more than 170 credits since his screen debut in 1975. As a performer, he’s known for his larger-than-life persona, deft physicality, and token one-liners.

He is the recipient of numerous film awards, including the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, as well as several honors from the Government of India.

According to the Times of India, Rajinikanth has starred in the three highest-grossing Tamil films in Indian history: 2.0 (2018), Jailer (2023), and now Coolie. A documentary about the actor’s fandom, For the Love of a Man, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2015.

What is Coolie about?

Rajinikanth leads Coolie as Deva, a former labor leader who now runs a youth hostel. After the odd death of an estranged pal, an inventor named Rajasekar (Sathyaraj), Deva teams up with Rajasekar’s daughter, Preethi (Shruti Haasan), to get to the bottom of what they believe to be a murder.

Their investigation leads them to Dayal (Soubin Shahir) and Simon (Nagarjuna), members of a crime syndicate using one of Rajasekar’s inventions — a chair-like contraption with the ability to cremate bodies — for their own nefarious purposes.

As you can imagine, fists, feet, and machetes begin flying in no time.

Is there a Coolie trailer?

There is, and it highlights everything that makes Indian blockbusters so appealing, from the visual grandeur to the kaleidoscopic action, blending dance and combat.

Who’s in the cast of Coolie?

Coolie is centered on Rajinikanth, but its supporting cast isn’t to be overlooked.

That goes specifically for Sathyaraj, another Indian screen legend with well over 200 films to his name. Notable credits include Vedham Pudhithu (1987), Raja Rani (2013), and the Baahubali duology (2015–2017).

Nagarjuna, who plays baddie Simon, is the recipient of two National Film Awards and 10 Nandi Awards, the latter of which are given to celebrate work in Telugu-language films. Haasan, meanwhile, is also an award-winning actress, not to mention a massive celebrity. In addition to having appeared on Forbes India‘s Celebrity 100 list, she currently has more than 24 million followers on Instagram.

Another notable member of the cast is Upendra, the acclaimed writer and director of Om (1995) and Super (2010), who also made an impact as an actor and politician.

What are critics saying about Coolie?

Critics are mixed on Coolie, though none can deny the thrill of Rajinikanth’s charisma, humor, and physicality, even if it can sometimes border on hagiographic.

Variety‘s rave review lauded it as “cheer-out-loud crime saga in which hyper-violence has the gracefulness of dance,” noting how its “aesthetic triumphs outweigh [the] imperfections” of its story, which can be “ridiculous, often impenetrable.”

The review goes on to celebrate Rajinikanth’s grounding presence. “The more complicated its story gets, with strangely elaborate plot devices revealing family secrets through coded phone calls, the more he employs his signature, snapping gazes and wry smiles — not to mention, his ability to make convincing even the most ludicrous feats of strength.”

Talking Films praised the craft of Kanagaraj’s “orchestration of rhythm, tone, and visual emphasis,” but bemoaned how his thrilling set pieces are deployed “chiefly to amplify [Rajinikanth’s] charisma.” The result, the review continues, is “both a celebration of [Rajinikanth’s] enduring magnetism and a reminder of the limits faced by even the most resourceful directors when working within the machinery of a star-led spectacle.”

The Hindustan Times, while impressed by the craft, couldn’t get past the convoluted story. “It’s a confusing film, as much as it is confused,” reads the outlet’s review, “lifted largely by Rajinikanth’s undimmed aura, Anirudh [Ravichander]’s masterful score, and some brilliantly shot fight sequences.”

Where can I watch Coolie?

Coolie is currently playing in select theaters.

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