Rajinikanth’s Coolie: A Visual Treat with a Disappointing Plot

14th August turned out to be a huge day for Indian cinema lovers. Two highly anticipated films — War 2 and Coolie — released on the same day, creating a massive buzz.

Until the promotional materials dropped, fans were equally excited for both, unsure which one to watch first.

Plot Overview (Without Spoilers)

Explaining the story of [Coolie] is not easy — not because it’s complex in a clever way, but because it’s unnecessarily complicated.

The basic premise is simple:
Rajinikanth’s character is seeking revenge for the murder of his friend. Along the way, he meets Shruti Haasan’s character, and together they try to solve what should have been a straightforward case.

The main problem in The film is that it takes a point-A-to-point-B story and unnecessarily zigzags through Z, X, C, and N before finally reaching B. This convoluted storytelling dilutes the emotional impact.

Direction & Visuals

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film carries his signature style — striking visuals, sharp background music, stylish lighting, and vibrant colour grading. The action choreography is precise, especially given Rajinikanth’s unique fighting style, which relies less on movement and more on stationary counter-attacks.

A standout moment is an action sequence featuring Rajinikanth and Upendra. Rajini stands calmly in the centre while Upendra handles the chaos, captured in circular camera movements and slow-motion shots. It’s a visual treat — one of the film’s few undeniable highlights.

Performances & Characters

• Rajinikanth is presented with full superstar aura — stylish, confident, and magnetic on screen.

• Upendra’s entry is electric and memorable.

• Sobin delivers one of the most well-written and well-acted roles, reminiscent of Vijay Sethupathi’s Chandan in Vikram.

• Nagarjuna is sadly underutilized. His character was hyped as “the next big thing,” but ends up doing very little.

• Shruti Haasan’s character is underdeveloped, serving mostly as someone trying to save herself.

While the film gives every major character a stylish introduction, most of them lack depth or meaningful arcs.

Where It Falls Short

The main issue is the disconnect between style and substance. The movie tries to replicate the layered complexity of Vikram, but without the same level of content. The character relationships feel soulless, and there’s no strong antagonist driving the conflict.

It often feels like Lokesh Kanagaraj was so focused on glorifying Rajinikanth that he forgot to make a cohesive, emotionally engaging film.

Final Verdict

• Movie is visually striking and stylishly shot, but suffers from weak storytelling and underdeveloped characters.

• If you go in with managed expectations, you might enjoy the action sequences and Rajinikanth’s aura.

• If you’re expecting a gripping plot on the level of Vikram, you’ll likely be disappointed.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) — Decent but forgettable.

Share your thoughts in the comments — did it meet your expectations or leave you wanting more?