Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Coolie’ Sets Countdown With A Slick Video

There are 100 more days to go for the release of Lokesh Kanagaraj and Rajinikanth’s Coolie, and the makers have ensured we get our countdown ready. Sun Pictures, the producers of the anticipated Tamil film, put out a neat 30-second-long video on Tuesday, reminding us of its big date. The film is all set to be released on August 14.

The video features fleeting back shots of prominent actors in the film including Nagarjuna and Upendra, eventually culminating with a shot of Rajinikanth at a port. This particular shot of the Superstar acts as a clever throwback to the iconic shot from Mani Ratnam’s Thalapathi (1991), where the actor is framed amidst a symbolic sunset. 

Coolie marks Kanagaraj’s first collaboration with Rajinikanth. The film recently wrapped up its shooting and boasts a stellar cast, including Nagarjuna, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan and Soubin Shahir. Anirudh Ravichander will compose music for the project, and reports suggest that the film revolves around gold smuggling, with Rajinikanth donning a massy avatar. 

In an earlier conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the director revealed what it was like to direct Rajinikanth. “It’s a dream for me… a blessing to work with Kamal sir and Rajini sir,” he said. “I want to show him what a Kamal Haasan fan can do with a Rajinikanth film.” While he’s been an overt Haasan fan, Kanagaraj revealed that he’d grown up with Rajinikanth’s filmography and working with him was a surreal experience.

Lokesh’s previous outing was Leo (2023), an action thriller with Vijay. The director’s earlier credits also include Kamal Haasan’s Vikram (2022), Vijay’s Master (2021) and Karthi’s Kaithi (2019).