Coolie is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures, scheduled to be released on 14 August 2025.
Bankrolled by Sun Pictures and featuring superstar Rajinikanth in his 171st big-ticket film alongside a powerful star cast, the movie is said to be a racy crime thriller, which will talk about gold smuggling. Coolie, with its big budget, top-tier technical staff, and bilingual distribution, is poised to be a watershed moment in Tamil film. This article presents a full, informative description of Coolie 2025, including its narrative, characters, production, marketing, and more, within a 1200-word constraint, based on information as of July 18, 2025.
Plot and Themes
Coolie, set against the backdrop of a gold smuggling ring, follows Rajinikanth’s character, who is driven by a persistent quest for revenge to rectify past wrongs. The narrative, although being kept under wraps, is touted as a high-energy action thriller featuring frantic vehicle chases, explosions, and gunfights interspersed with emotional depth.
The story delves into themes of justice, revenge, and moral ambiguity, as Rajinikanth’s character navigates a perilous world of crime and power. The teaser contains easter eggs from his renowned coolie appearances in Mullum Malarum (1978), Mannan (1992), and Uzhaippali (1993), implying an homage to his film heritage.
Key Plot Points:
- Setting: featuring a grungy, action-packed setting and focusing on a gold smuggling operation.
- Protagonist’s Journey: The need for revenge in Rajinikanth’s persona is influenced by historical injustices.
- Themes: Vengeance, justice, and moral complexity in a crime-ridden world.
- Tribute to Legacy: includes allusions to Rajinikanth’s previous roles as a coolie.
- Action Elements: includes action-packed scenes, such as battles and chases.
Coolie 2025 Cast and Characters
Coolie boasts a diverse, multilingual ensemble cast, bringing together stars from Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bollywood cinema. In advertising materials, Rajinikanth’s rough, bearded appearance is emphasized as the protagonist. Among the supporting cast are:
- Nagarjuna Akkineni: A Telugu celebrity who adds gravity to a crucial part.
- Upendra: A Kannada cinema icon, known for his intense performances.
- Shruti Haasan: Plays a key role, marking a new phase in her career.
- Soubin Shahir and Sathyaraj: Tamil and Malayalam performers played important parts, respectively.
- Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, Monisha Blessy, Kaali Venkat: The richness of the story is increased by supporting performers.
- Pooja Hegde: Features in a special dance song, with her viral “Monica” hook step.
- Aamir Khan: makes a brief appearance and rejoins Rajinikanth following Aatank Hi Aatank (1995).
The ensemble cast embodies the movie’s pan-Indian appeal, which aims to draw viewers from all linguistic backgrounds.
Production and Crew
Principal photography began in July 2024 in Chennai, with additional schedules in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok, wrapping by mid-March 2025. Key shots were recorded at Chennai International Airport, while a dance routine with Pooja Hegde was filmed in February 2025. The Coolie 2025 film’s technical staff is exceptional, resulting in outstanding production qualities.
Key Crew Details:
- Director and Screenplay: Lokesh Kanagaraj, alongside Chandhru Anbazhagan, is known for his strong action stories.
- Cinematographer: Scenes from Girish Gangadharan are striking to look at.
- Music Composer: In his sixth film with Rajinikanth, Anirudh Ravichander (Petta, Darbar, Jailer, Vettaiyan).
- Editor: Philomin Raj, ensuring tight pacing.
- Stunt Choreography: Dynamic action is the trademark of Anbariv Masters.
- Lyricist: Song lyrics written by Kanagaraj’s associate director, Vishnu Edavan.
The film’s ₹350–375 crore budget includes ₹25 crore for marketing and distribution, as well as ₹350 crore for production, cast fees, and international filming locations.
Music and Soundtrack
The soundtrack, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, is a major highlight, with songs designed to complement the film’s high-energy vibe. Sun Pictures is the owner of the audio rights.
Key Songs:
- “Coolie Disco”: featured in the teaser, a small part of Thanga Magan’s “Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa” (1983). Released April 22, 2024.
- “Chikitu”: First single, teased as “Chikitu Vibe” on Rajinikanth’s 74th birthday (December 12, 2024), released June 25, 2025.
- “Monica”: The second single with a viral hook step on Pooja Hegde was released on 11 July 2025.
- “Powerhouse”: The third single will be released on July 22nd, 2025, in Hyderabad via premiere.
The songs have created a lot of talk, and because of their catchy choreography, “Monica” has gone viral on social media.
Marketing and Hype
Coolie’s marketing effort has been planned, with an emphasis on simple yet effective advertising to minimize overexposure, as per Kanagaraj’s taste. The first look poster, released on March 28, 2024, depicted Rajinikanth in a monochromatic, passionate persona, while the teaser trailer, released on April 22, 2024, revealed the title and paid tribute to his coolie roles.
A 59-second glimpse for “Chikitu Vibe” dropped on December 12, 2024, and a 27-second countdown video marked 100 days to release on May 6, 2025. The trailer is set to release on August 2, 2025, building anticipation for the theatrical debut. Posts on X highlight the film’s “international-level content” and “epic blockbuster” potential.
Marketing Highlights:
- First-Look Poster: Unveiled on 28th March 2024, this is about Rajinikanth’s Raw Look.
- Teaser: Trailer A 1 and a half teaser is released on April 22, 2024, with the date revealing the title and a few easter eggs.
- Song Releases: “Chikitu” (June 25, 2025), “Monica” (July 11, 2025), “Powerhouse” (July 22, 2025).
- Trailer: Scheduled for August 2, 2025, as a final major push.
Release and Distribution
On August 14, 2025, one day before India’s Independence Day, Coolie 2025 will be released in theaters worldwide in normal, IMAX, D-Box, and 4DX formats. It will clash with War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, creating one of 2025’s biggest box-office battles. The film will be released in Tamil, with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi (titled Coolie: The Powerhouse), and Kannada. Overseas distribution rights were acquired for ₹80 crore, while Amazon Prime Video secured post-theatrical streaming rights for ₹110 crore, and Sun TV Network obtained satellite rights.
Also Read: Special Ops Season 2: Release Date, Cast, and Storyline
Release Details:
- Date: August 14, 2025, in theaters worldwide.
- Formats: Standard, IMAX, D-Box, 4DX.
- Languages: Tamil (original), dubbed in Telugu, Hindi, Kannada.
- Distribution: Asian Multiplexes (Telugu states), AV Media Consultancy (Karnataka).
- OTT: Amazon Prime Video (post-theatrical).
An IMAX release issue emerged after War 2 secured exclusive IMAX rights, while Sun Pictures confirmed Coolie’s IMAX distribution, creating concerns regarding guideline compliance.
Audience Sentiment:
- Positives: Rajinikanth’s charisma, star-studded cast, Anirudh’s music, Kanagaraj’s direction.
- Concerns: Box-office clash with War 2, potential over-reliance on action.
- Expectations: a movie that capitalized on Rajinikanth’s fan base and had record-breaking receipts.
Conclusion
Coolie 2025 is shaping up to be a massive Tamil action thriller, combining Rajinikanth’s renowned performance with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s imaginative directing. With a ₹375 crore budget, a pan-Indian ensemble, and a high-energy narrative involving gold smuggling, it promises both spectacular action and emotional depth. The film’s bilingual distribution, viral soundtrack, and savvy marketing assure broad acceptance, despite a strong box-office rivalry with War 2. Coolie, which will enthrall viewers on August 14, 2025, marks Rajinikanth’s 50th year in the film industry.