Coolie Movie Review – Mass Moments Without a Strong Spine

Coolie Movie Review – Mass Moments Without a Strong Spine

The collaboration of filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj with Superstar Rajinikanth in Coolie had set the bar sky-high. Adding to the excitement was an ensemble of iconic South Indian stars—Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Aamir Khan, and Sathyaraj—which raised audience expectations across India.

The story unfolds at the Vizag port, where smuggler Simon (Soubin Shahir) hides gold and diamonds inside golden watches. His loyal aide has committed numerous murders for him. Meanwhile, in Chennai, Deva (Rajinikanth) runs a mansion business. When his close friend (Sathyaraj) dies, Deva travels back to Vizag, meets the friend’s three daughters (Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, and Monisha), and learns the death was actually a murder. Determined to find the killer within the port’s underworld, he begins his mission.

While Lokesh Kanagaraj’s intent is clear, the execution falters. Coolie borrows heavily from the Vikram formula—mass moments, stylish stunts, and Anirudh’s rousing background score—but lacks the tight plotting and strong character arcs that made Vikram work. The first half, running 85 minutes, meanders by introducing characters without narrative direction. The main plot only emerges around 20 minutes into the second half, with most of the runtime relying on scattered set-pieces rather than a cohesive story. Despite having powerhouse performers, many are underused. The mass elevation moments are enjoyable but total only 25–30 minutes of the 3-hour runtime.

Rajinikanth delivers a strong performance, especially in emotional scenes, and his single-take climax narration is a highlight. Nagarjuna looks stylish but is wasted in an underwritten role. Upendra has a brief but impactful pre-climax moment. Soubin Shahir impresses as an actor but isn’t entirely convincing as a menacing villain opposite Rajinikanth. Aamir Khan’s cameo feels forced and adds little to the film.

Visually, the film is stunning, with cinematography capturing both grandeur and grit. The action sequences are well choreographed, though the heavy use of stunt doubles for Rajinikanth is noticeable. Anirudh’s score provides the much-needed mass appeal, with background music that energizes key sequences.

Overall, Coolie is a glossy mass entertainer that promises fireworks but delivers only brief sparks. With a tighter script and stronger narrative focus, it could have been a powerhouse blockbuster. Instead, it settles for being an average watch, carried mainly by Rajinikanth’s charisma and a few high-voltage moments.