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The year 2025 promised a resurgence of spectacle films, and 'Coolie,' boasting a stellar cast and helmed by the acclaimed director Lokesh Kanagaraj, was poised to be a major contender. With Rajinikanth in the lead and a diverse ensemble supporting him, the film possessed all the necessary components for pan-Indian success. However, the film ultimately fails to live up to its hype, delivering a lukewarm experience that disappoints despite its technical brilliance and Rajinikanth's undeniable screen presence. The narrative, spanning multiple timelines and locations, revolves around the death of Rajasekhar (Sathyaraj) and its impact on his daughters, particularly Preethi (Shruti Haasan). Deva (Rajinikanth), a long-time friend of Rajasekhar, becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding his death, leading him to confront a smuggling syndicate led by Simon (Nagarjuna) and Dayalan (Soubin Shahir), who exploits workers at the port. The film attempts to unravel the connections between Rajasekhar, Dayalan, and the criminal underworld, but the investigation and revelations are plagued by disjointed storytelling and an overwhelming number of underdeveloped plotlines. Lokesh Kanagaraj, celebrated for his innovative filmmaking in Tamil cinema, disappoints with 'Coolie,' which is considered one of his weakest works. While the film opens with an engaging introduction that showcases Rajinikanth's star power, the narrative quickly becomes muddled with numerous subplots that are initially set up in the first half but receive insufficient attention in the overall context of the story. Rajinikanth, despite being 74, retains his charisma, wit, and commanding screen presence. A simple close-up of his eyes is sufficient to energize the audience, and 'Coolie' frequently relies on these moments to generate enthusiasm. However, these instances of Rajinikanth's star power clash with Lokesh Kanagaraj's distinctive visual style, creating a sense of disconnect. Although the film incorporates Kanagaraj's signature elements, such as vintage songs, music-driven fight sequences, and non-linear storytelling, these elements do not resonate effectively, resulting in a fragmented and unsatisfying cinematic experience.
The primary flaw of 'Coolie' lies in its excessive number of ideas. What begins as a revenge thriller, with a man seeking justice for his friend's death, swiftly transitions into a story of a common individual exposing a criminal network. This transition lacks seamlessness, resulting in moments of enjoyment scattered throughout the film, but it fails to coalesce into a cohesive whole. Rajinikanth delivers a dedicated performance in 'Coolie,' but the narrative fails to do him justice. The film shifts its focus among Rajinikanth, Soubin, and Simon, without allowing any of these characters to make a substantial impact. Soubin's character possesses a compelling arc, but the potential for fully utilizing his talent remains unrealized. Nagarjuna portrays Simon as a stylish figure, but his character remains one-dimensional, relying heavily on his charisma to maintain audience interest. Shruti Haasan's portrayal of Preethi is a standout performance in her recent works. Among the supporting cast, Kanna Ravi and Rachitha Ram make notable impressions despite their limited screen time. The presence of numerous loose ends and a disjointed narrative structure contribute to the unenjoyable experience of 'Coolie'. While Rajinikanth appears to be enjoying himself, the film struggles to convey that enjoyment to the audience. The abundance of cameos, including those of Aamir Khan and Upendra, is reminiscent of 'Jailer,' but because their appearances were revealed prior to the release, their on-screen presence fails to generate excitement. The film leaves viewers wondering what will happen next, without providing any meaningful resolution or lasting impact.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, 'Coolie' exhibits technical excellence. Girish Gangadharan's cinematography and Anirudh Ravichander's energetic music stand out, and the technicians excel in various aspects, including sound design, production design, and visual effects. Lokesh Kanagaraj's 'Coolie' is an underwhelming entertainment that suffers from an excessive number of ideas. Rajinikanth's screen presence and Anirudh Ravichander's music prevent the film from completely sinking. However, they are not enough to elevate it into a truly memorable or satisfying cinematic experience. The film ultimately earns a rating of 2 out of 5 stars, reflecting its failure to live up to its potential and the expectations surrounding it. The review, published by K Janani on August 14, 2025, underscores the film's missed opportunities and its inability to deliver a compelling narrative despite its technical strengths and the star power of its lead actors. The director’s attempt to weave a complex tapestry of crime, revenge, and social commentary ultimately falls short, leaving the audience with a sense of unfulfilled promise and a lingering disappointment. The film is a testament to the fact that even the most talented individuals and the most promising ingredients cannot guarantee success when the underlying story lacks cohesion and depth.
Ultimately, 'Coolie' serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers aiming to create expansive and ambitious narratives. The film's downfall lies not in its individual elements, but in their collective failure to coalesce into a unified and engaging whole. The overabundance of subplots, the underdeveloped characters, and the disjointed storytelling all contribute to a sense of fragmentation that prevents the audience from fully investing in the story. While Rajinikanth's star power and the technical brilliance of the cinematography and music provide fleeting moments of excitement, they are ultimately overshadowed by the film's narrative weaknesses. The film’s reliance on cameos from other stars, while intended to generate buzz and excitement, ultimately feels gratuitous and adds little to the overall story. The characters, including Aamir Khan and Upendra, appear briefly and then disappear, leaving the audience wondering why they were included in the first place. This further contributes to the sense of fragmentation and lack of cohesion that plagues the film. In conclusion, 'Coolie' is a film that promises much but delivers little. Despite its technical strengths and the star power of its lead actors, the film is ultimately undone by its narrative weaknesses and its inability to create a cohesive and engaging story. The film serves as a reminder that even the most talented individuals and the most promising ingredients cannot guarantee success when the underlying story lacks cohesion and depth. The film is a cautionary tale for filmmakers aiming to create expansive and ambitious narratives, reminding them of the importance of crafting a story that is both engaging and well-structured.
The film's ambition to blend genres – revenge thriller, crime exposé, and social commentary – proves to be its Achilles' heel. Each of these elements is present, but none are fully developed, leading to a disjointed and unsatisfying viewing experience. The revenge plot, which initially drives the narrative, is quickly sidelined as the film shifts its focus to the criminal syndicate and the exploitation of workers at the port. However, this shift feels abrupt and lacks the necessary build-up to fully engage the audience. Similarly, the social commentary, which touches on issues of corruption and inequality, is only superficially explored, failing to make a meaningful impact. The film’s attempts to be all things to all people ultimately result in it being nothing in particular. The film's reliance on Rajinikanth's star power also proves to be a double-edged sword. While his presence undeniably draws audiences in, it also overshadows the other characters and the underlying story. The film often feels like a vehicle for Rajinikanth, rather than a cohesive narrative with a clear purpose. This leads to a sense of imbalance, where the other characters are relegated to supporting roles and the story becomes secondary to the showcasing of Rajinikanth's charisma and screen presence. The film's technical strengths, while commendable, are ultimately unable to compensate for its narrative weaknesses. The cinematography, music, and visual effects are all well-executed, but they cannot salvage a story that is fundamentally flawed. In the end, 'Coolie' is a film that is technically proficient but narratively unsatisfying. It is a film that promises much but delivers little, and it serves as a reminder that even the most talented individuals and the most promising ingredients cannot guarantee success when the underlying story lacks cohesion and depth.
Source: Coolie review: Rajinikanth's film has too many ideas, but too little impact