Coolie (2025 Film): Overview
Coolie is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures. This highly anticipated film stars Rajinikanth in the titular role, alongside a stellar ensemble cast including Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. For more updates and information on the film, check out Ibommamovie, where we dive deep into the cast, production, development, casting, filming, music, marketing, budget, and release.
| Category | Details |
| Directed by | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Written by | Lokesh Kanagaraj, Chandhru Anbazhagan |
| Produced by | Kalanithi Maran |
| Starring | Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj |
| Cinematography | Girish Gangadharan |
| Edited by | Philomin Raj |
| Music by | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Production Company | Sun Pictures |
| Release Year | ***2025 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Cast
***Rajinikanth
***Nagarjuna
***Upendra
***Sathyaraj
***Soubin Shahir
***Shruti Haasan
Production/Development
***Development: During the filming of “Master” in late 2019, director Lokesh Kanagaraj met Rajinikanth at his residence in Chennai and narrated a script that impressed the actor. Initially, this project was supposed to be Rajinikanth’s 169th film, but due to various delays, it became his 171st. The film, tentatively titled “Thalaivar 171,” was officially announced in September 2023, with the title “Coolie” revealed in April 2024.
Lokesh Kanagaraj wrote the script during the post-production of his film “Maanagaram” (2017). Unlike his previous films that revolve around drugs, “Coolie” focuses on gold smuggling. The project signifies Rajinikanth’s maiden collaboration with Lokesh and his fifth with Sun Pictures.
***Pre-Production: The pre-production phase saw extensive planning and preparation. Lokesh co-wrote the script with Chandhru Anbazhagan. The team completed the script’s first half in six months and shot the promotional teaser by April 2024. Manoj Paramahamsa was initially announced as the cinematographer but was later replaced by Girish Gangadharan.
Lokesh retained most of his usual crew, including stunt choreography duo Anbariv, editor Philomin Raj, costume designer Praveen Raja, and production designer N. Sathees Kumar. The film is being shot with an IMAX-certified camera, making it a first for Tamil cinema.
***Post-Production: The post-production process includes editing, visual effects, and sound design, ensuring the film’s high-quality output. Lokesh and his team are dedicated to delivering a cinematic experience that meets the audience’s expectations.
Casting
- Rajinikanth as Deva:
- The central character of the film.
- A powerful and enigmatic figure involved in gold smuggling.
- Nagarjuna as Simon:
- The main antagonist.
- A ruthless and strategic adversary to Deva.
- Upendra as Kaleesha:
- A key figure in the gold smuggling operation.
- Adds complexity and intrigue to the narrative.
- Sathyaraj as Rajasekar:
- A significant role with a historical connection to Deva.
- Adds depth to the story.
- Soubin Shahir as Dayal:
- An important character making his Tamil film debut.
- Provides a fresh perspective to the narrative.
- Shruti Haasan as Preethi:
- A pivotal character influencing the storyline.
- Adds emotional and dramatic elements to the film.
Filming
Principal photography for “Coolie” began on July 5, 2024, at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The first schedule ended on July 18, followed by another schedule in Visakhapatnam. The team faced challenges, including a fire incident on set, but continued filming with resilience. Footage of Nagarjuna was leaked on social media, leading Lokesh to request people not to share the footage.
Music
The music and background score for “Coolie” is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his fifth collaboration with Rajinikanth and fourth with Lokesh. The lyrics for the songs will be written by Lokesh’s assistant director Vishnu Edavan. The audio rights were acquired by Sun Pictures’ own company. The track “Coolie Disco,” featured in the teaser trailer, includes a sample of “Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa,” originally composed by Ilaiyaraaja for “Thanga Magan” (1983).
Marketing
The marketing campaign for “Coolie” has been strategically planned to build anticipation and excitement. The first look poster was released on March 28, 2024, without any pre-announcement, followed by the teaser trailer on April 22, 2024. The film’s promotional activities include social media engagement, interviews, and appearances on popular television shows.
Budget
Release
“Coolie” is scheduled to release worldwide in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats. The film will also be released with dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada languages. The digital streaming rights were reportedly acquired by Amazon Prime Video, and the satellite rights were acquired by Sun TV.
Legal Issues
A week after the teaser’s release, composer Ilaiyaraaja sent a notice to the makers for using “Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa” in the teaser without his permission. The composer demanded the makers to get proper permission or remove the track from the teaser. During a hearing in the Madras High Court, the judge stated that Ilaiyaraaja could not claim exclusive ownership over the song as the lyrics were written by a different person.
Plot
***Central Character: Deva
Rajinikanth plays the lead role of Deva, a powerful and enigmatic figure deeply entrenched in the world of gold smuggling. Deva’s life is marked by his involvement in illegal activities, but his character is multi-dimensional, showcasing both his ruthless and compassionate sides.
***The Antagonist: Simon
Nagarjuna stars as Simon, the primary antagonist in the film. Simon is a cunning and strategic adversary to Deva, with his own motives and plans within the gold smuggling operation. His character brings a formidable challenge to Deva’s control over the smuggling network.
##Supporting Characters##
- Kaleesha (Upendra): Kaleesha is an important player in the smuggling network, bringing his own unique skills and strategies to the table. His alliances and loyalties add complexity to the plot.
- Rajasekar (Sathyaraj): Rajasekar is a seasoned character with a deep connection to Deva’s past. His role provides critical support to Deva, both strategically and emotionally.
- Dayal (Soubin Shahir): Making his Tamil film debut, Dayal is a significant character whose actions and decisions impact the narrative in unexpected ways.
- Preethi (Shruti Haasan): Preethi’s character adds an emotional depth to the film. Her relationship with Deva and her own personal struggles are integral to the storyline.
***Climax
The climax of Coolie is a high-octane showdown between Deva and Simon. The film builds up to this confrontation with a series of intense action scenes, strategic moves, and emotional revelations. The final battle is a test of wits, strength, and resilience, determining who will emerge victorious in the dangerous world of gold smuggling.
Raid 2: Ajay Devgn, Vaani Kapoor’s film to release in February 2025
Lead Social Media Handles
***Shruti Hassan – @shrutzhaasan
***Rajnikanth – @rajinikanth
