Rajnikanth is back with a bang with 'Coolie' and hand it to the superstar to lift the Tamil movie-world out of its doldrums

The Star

12 hours ago

It has been bad times for the Tamil movie industry of late. But leave it to Tamil movie's super ace, Rajnikanth, dubbed as 'The Superstar' by his fans, to save them yet again.
The Tamil movie industry, known as Kollywood, had one of its worst years in 2024, with a jaw-dropping amount of money being lost on big-budget blockbusters that were also rejected by audiences worldwide. Although there were a few successes, like "Amaran and Maharaja", 2024, just as it has been seen in recent years, was dominated by expensive flops headlined by big-name stars that didn't live up to expectations.
There has been no difference for the first half of 2025. Aijth's "Vidaamuyarchi", Kamal Haasan's "Thug Life", Dhanush's "Kubeera" and Vijay Sethupathi's "Ace" all just tumbled and bombed at the box-office. Even Surya's "Retro" and Ajith's "Good, Bad, Ugly", although these movies did well enough to recover the funds, they did not set the box office on fire.
And then came the superstar. Despite some setbacks with last year's "Vettaiyan", 'The Superstar' is raging fire again with the all-out action revenge, high-octane drama 'Coolie' directed by the current Tamil movies 'It' director Lokesh Kanagaraj.
Produced by Kalanithi Maran, besides Rajnikanth, the film stars Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan. The ever-elegant Pooja Hegde also makes a guest appearance for the hot song "Monica", which is currently the No. 1 single in India and also extremely popular with Tamil song fans in Malaysia.
The movie has debuted to an extraordinary US$3.04 million (RM13.45 million) on opening day collection across North American theatres. This makes Coolie the highest-grossing Tamil film for premiere day earnings in the region—a milestone that cements Rajinikanth's enduring global appeal and the film's immense hype.
The film's record-breaking figures didn't come as a surprise to trade analysts. Weeks before its release, Coolie had already sold over 100 crore worth of advance tickets globally, becoming the fastest Tamil film to cross the US$3 million mark in the USA. According to distribution insiders and box office trackers, the numbers reflect not only Rajinikanth's star power but also the magnetic appeal of director Lokesh Kanagaraj's storytelling.
According to the trade website, Coolie earned Indian rupees 65 crores (RM32 million) in India on day one (Aug 14), which itself gives Rajinikanth his career-best opening day performance in India.
Already, some film world experts are stating that the movie can go as far as hitting the magic mark of 1,000 crores (RM495 million) magic mark and join the company of top movies such as "Bahubaali and Jawan".
And this achievement comes at the very right time, as the "Coolie" movie is also in conjunction with Rajnikanth's 50th year of acting in the Indian film industry. 50 years of wooing with fans with his excellence and five decades of becoming an actor of family dramas, action hero, brilliant actor, character actor, and of course, given the title of "The Superstar".
In short, Rajnikanth is not an actor but an institution in the Indian movie world. Being an actor for just several movies is an accomplishment by itself, but being at the top of the game for 50 years is more than success; it is being just incredibly special, where none match your successes.
Indeed, longevity in show business, in any kind of show business, be it Hollywood or K-Movie-dom, this is indeed an unforgettable milestone.
After five decades and 170 films on, Rajinikanth's new film celebrates his journey with a story that, in parts, mirrors his own life. He plays a working-class hero taking on a wealthy, oppressive villain.
The 74-year-old superstar is a phenomenon - worshipped in temples built for him, his image carried almost everywhere and even on airplanes during film promotions, and even adored in East Asian economic powerhouse Japan with the passion usually reserved for local idols. He also has millions of fans all over the whole world and tons of them are also in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
A fan even shared via X, "Coolie is a massive industry hit! Lokesh Kanagaraj delivers a perfect blend of mass action and gripping storytelling, while @rajinikanth charisma lights up every frame. A record-breaking entertainer that will be remembered for years. #coolieBlockbuster."
This alone speaks volumes of the great actor. Even at the age of being a grandfather, he never stops amazing fans and critics alike with his incredible love and enthusiasm for his trade and his fondness for the art.
The movie in Malaysia also got off to a blast on Thursday (Aug 14). The distribution rights for 'Coolie' in Malaysia were won by Malik Streams Corporation. The movie distributor also recently held a major party at the TGV Cinemas in Bukit Jalil to celebrate the opening of the movie with invited guests and friends.
Shows were seen exclusively at TGV cinemas and almost every show from 8am onwards was packed almost to the brim. Some TGV cinemas in the country were even seen showing the movies at several cinema halls at the same. The box office collection may hit records in Malaysia, but that remains to be seen in the days to come.
In Malaysia, the highest-grossing foreign film at the box office is Avengers: Endgame, which earned RM79 million. It surpassed the previous record held by Avengers: Infinity War, which recorded almost RM70 million at the box office.
The synopsis is from Times of India
The Plot: Deva, aka Devaraj (Rajinikanth), is the charismatic owner of Deva Mansion, a haven where students can stay at discounted rates. When his close friend Rajshekhar (Sathyaraj) suddenly dies of a cardiac arrest, Deva stumbles upon the original death certificate — and the truth is far from natural.
It reveals his friend died from an injury, not illness. Determined to uncover the killer, Deva infiltrates a smuggling ring in Visakhapatnam. But in chasing justice, he inadvertently unlocks a hidden chapter of his own past — one filled with secrets, unfinished business, and dangerous loose ends that demand closure.
Review: The film opens at a bustling port in Vizag, where Kingpin Simon (Nagarjuna) and his aide Dayal (Soubin Shahir) run an illegal operation.
After a police diktat stops them from disposing of bodies at sea, they turn to Rajshekhar (Sathyaraj), a former labourer who has invented a chair capable of cremating bodies instantly, leaving only ashes.
Originally discarded by the government for its dangerous potential, the invention now falls into the wrong hands. When Rajshekhar is killed, his longtime friend Deva (Rajinikanth), who had been working in the background, steps into the fray.
What begins as a mission to uncover his friend's murderer soon unravels secrets from Deva's own past, tying old loose ends to the present conflict.
The first half of Coolie leans heavily into fan service — complete with songs, dances, punch dialogues, and a fair share of swagger. While it slows the film's momentum and spends a bit too long introducing characters who could have been set up more briskly, the second half is where Lokesh really gets cooking and serves up a treat. Multiple cameos here not only land perfectly but also add real weight to the story, with well-timed twists keeping the audience hooked.
Despite its extended runtime, Coolie roars as a tribute to Rajinikanth's legacy — brimming with energy, nostalgia, and unfiltered mass appeal. Learning from the pacing missteps of his last outing, director Lokesh Kanagaraj crafts a tighter, more impactful second half, putting his pan-India stars to good use with well-etched, purposeful characters.
Nagarjuna, as drug lord Simon, embraces his villainy with calculated finesse, while Soubin Shahir proves to be another inspired casting choice whose screen presence lingers.
Rachita Ram's surprise role emerges as the scene-stealer — effortlessly commanding the frame and delivering one of the smoothest, most organic action sequences in the film. Upendra exudes effortless swagger as Rajini's silent yet formidable right-hand man, matching the superstar's presence blow for blow in the high-octane set pieces.
Rajinikanth, of course, delivers exactly what fans crave — charisma, style, and a commanding screen presence that feels effortless.
The flashback portions, especially the Rajini–Sathyaraj sequences, are a treat, as the two icons come together on screen after 40 years. Sathyaraj and Shruti Haasan bring solid support, never tipping into excess, while the mass appeal and emotional beats keep the second half gripping, with well-timed outbursts landing just right.
The de-aging of Rajinikanth is pure mass — seamlessly done, it adds a nostalgic punch. Even hindi superstar Aamir Khan's cameo is smartly placed, adding intrigue without feeling forced.
In short: It was amazing to see fans from all races in Malaysia getting excited about the movie. Chinese and Malay friends of this writer had already watched the movie when writing this review.
So just go and watch the movie, enjoy the mass entertainer at his usual very best, and get blown out of your mind with the action scenes.