Table of Content
- Rajinikanth Shines in Coolie Despite Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Weak Script
- Coolie Movie Review: Rajinikanth’s Charm Saves a Dull Crime Drama
- Rajinikanth and Soubin Shahir Lift Coolie in Patchy Thriller
- Coolie Review: Superstar Rajinikanth Brings Life to a Flat Story
When a director like Lokesh Kanagaraj collaborates with the legendary Rajinikanth, expectations naturally soar. The combination promises fireworks—stylish storytelling, memorable characters, and the kind of cinematic magic that leaves audiences awestruck. Coolie arrived with that same promise, carrying the weight of hype, fan frenzy, and the anticipation of seeing the Superstar in a gritty crime world. But once the curtain lifts, the film sadly reveals itself to be an uneven ride. While Rajinikanth and Soubin Shahir bring life to their roles, the script falls short, leaving the audience wishing for more depth and less drag.
Rajinikanth: The saving grace
At the heart of Coolie lies Rajinikanth, who once again proves why he continues to command devotion across generations. Even when the narrative stumbles, his screen presence is enough to hold attention. As the titular coolie navigating a web of crime and betrayal, he embodies grit, wisdom, and a weary sense of justice. His dialogue delivery, his signature swagger, and his effortless charisma remind audiences that he can still make even ordinary moments look extraordinary.
The problem, however, lies in the writing. Instead of giving Rajinikanth a layered role that explores both vulnerability and strength, the film relies heavily on fan-service moments—slow-motion walks, punch dialogues, and nostalgia-driven frames. While fans may cheer, the emotional depth one expects from a Lokesh-Rajinikanth collaboration feels missing.
Soubin Shahir’s unexpected brilliance
If Rajinikanth is the heartbeat of Coolie, then Soubin Shahir is its surprise package. Known largely for his strong work in Malayalam cinema, Soubin steps into this universe with a character that is both unpredictable and layered. His role adds a shade of authenticity and rawness that balances the larger-than-life aura of Rajinikanth.
His quiet intensity, natural body language, and ability to convey menace without exaggeration create some of the film’s most memorable moments. In fact, Soubin’s grounded performance exposes the weaknesses of the screenplay even more, because every time the film slows down, his presence injects life back into it.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s misstep
Lokesh Kanagaraj has built his reputation on sharp storytelling, slick action, and creating universes where every detail matters. Films like Kaithi and Vikram showcased his ability to balance star power with strong narratives. That is why Coolie comes as a disappointment.
The film feels scattered. The crime drama elements are predictable, the emotional beats don’t land as they should, and the narrative often drags. Instead of building tension and payoff, the film repeatedly circles back to familiar tropes—revenge, betrayal, and one-dimensional villains. While the cinematography and music try to elevate the material, they cannot hide the hollowness of the story.
A world without depth
The backdrop of Coolie had immense potential. The underworld setting, the struggles of the working class, and the dynamics of power could have been explored with sharp writing. Unfortunately, the film reduces this world to just a stage for action sequences and punch dialogues.
There are fleeting glimpses of brilliance—moments where Rajinikanth and Soubin share the screen, or when a character reveals a personal backstory—but these are too rare. The lack of consistency makes the world of Coolie feel shallow, never allowing the audience to fully invest in the stakes.
Performances that try to rescue the film
Apart from Rajinikanth and Soubin Shahir, the supporting cast gives solid performances. Yet, they too are bound by underwritten roles. Characters appear and disappear without proper arcs, leaving viewers with little to hold onto emotionally.
Rajinikanth’s attempt to carry the film on his shoulders is valiant, but even he can only do so much when the script doesn’t match his energy. Soubin, on the other hand, makes every frame he’s in count, reminding audiences of the power of subtle, unshowy acting.
Music and technical craft
Anirudh’s music, as expected, tries to inject style and energy into Coolie. The background score is pulsating, and the songs have the trademark Anirudh energy. However, much like the film itself, the music feels more like a patchwork of moments rather than an integrated whole.
Visually, the film is polished. The cinematography captures the grit of the streets and the glamour of Rajinikanth’s presence. Action sequences are choreographed with flair, but after a point, they feel repetitive because the stakes behind them are not strong enough.
Fans versus general audience
For die-hard Rajinikanth fans, Coolie still offers moments to cheer for. The whistles, the applause, and the joy of seeing the Superstar deliver his style are all intact. Fan-service moments like these ensure that Rajini admirers walk away with at least a sense of satisfaction.
For the general audience, however, the film may feel like a letdown. Without a gripping storyline or emotional connect, Coolie struggles to leave a lasting impact. It becomes yet another film that survives on the shoulders of its lead star rather than standing strong on its own.
Lokesh Kanagaraj and the weight of expectations
One cannot review Coolie without acknowledging the enormous expectations that surrounded it. Lokesh Kanagaraj has, in recent years, been seen as a director who could redefine mass cinema with intelligence. Pairing him with Rajinikanth was seen as a dream collaboration. The fact that Coolie does not live up to this hype makes the disappointment sting even more.
It raises a question about whether the pressure of living up to star image and fan demands can sometimes overshadow the freedom to tell a story with depth. In trying to balance mass appeal with substance, Coolie unfortunately ends up doing justice to neither.
What could have been
The film had the opportunity to be more than just another crime drama. With its cast and crew, it could have explored themes of justice, class struggle, and the price of power in a nuanced way. Instead, it plays safe, leaning on clichés and predictable arcs. Amaal Mallik’s emotional vulnerability or Soubin Shahir’s unpredictability could have been explored further, but the writing holds them back.
The Superstar effect
And yet, even in its weakest moments, Coolie reminds audiences of Rajinikanth’s enduring charm. There are scenes where his mere glance, his pauses, or his slow smile ignite the screen. That is the power of a true Superstar. He does not need elaborate setups to create magic—his presence is enough.
But depending solely on Rajinikanth’s aura is unfair, both to him and to the audience. Cinema, especially crime drama, demands stronger storytelling to make performances truly shine.
Final verdict
Coolie is a film where Rajinikanth and Soubin Shahir do their best to shoulder a weak script. While there are moments of brilliance and flashes of style, the overall narrative remains dull and unmemorable. Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for his sharp craft, delivers one of his weaker films, leaving fans with mixed feelings.
For Rajinikanth fans, the movie may still be worth watching for his larger-than-life presence. For others, it may feel like a missed opportunity—one where the ingredients were all present, but the recipe failed to come together.
Conclusion
In the end, Coolie is not a disaster, but it is far from the masterpiece it was expected to be. Rajinikanth once again proves why he is revered, Soubin Shahir cements his place as a performer to watch, and yet, the film itself falters. It is a reminder that no amount of star power can fully rescue a dull script.
Audiences will leave the theatre with mixed emotions—grateful to have witnessed Rajinikanth’s charisma once more, yet disappointed that the film did not rise to the level both the Superstar and Lokesh Kanagaraj deserved.
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