Coolie Movie Review: Rajinikanth’s Charisma Outshines Weak Screenplay

Rajinikanth commands the screen in Coolie, but Lokesh Kanagaraj’s action drama struggles with pacing and narrative clarity.

Coolie, one of the year’s most anticipated Tamil releases, sees director Lokesh Kanagaraj team up with superstar Rajinikanth. While the film carries the director’s signature style, including brisk intercuts and a gritty crime world backdrop, it ultimately falters under a fragmented screenplay.

The story introduces Deva (Rajinikanth), a figure who consistently outpaces every other character — a narrative choice that mirrors the film’s uneven construction. Supporting roles, including Dayal (Soubin Shahir) and Simone (Nagarjuna), add flavour but can’t mask the gaps in storytelling.

The opening sequences set the stage with smuggling syndicates, murders, and survival codes, but the plot holds too much back, creating a sense of hesitation. Despite these shortcomings, Rajinikanth’s commanding presence and screen charisma keep the film engaging for his fans, even if Coolie lacks the sharpness of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s earlier works.

Verdict: A star-driven spectacle that entertains in moments but misses the depth and cohesiveness expected from the director’s filmography.