The wait is finally over! Coolie, one of the most anticipated Tamil films of 2025, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring none other than Rajinikanth, has finally hit the big screens. With sky-high expectations, thanks to the film being speculated as part of the LCU (Lokesh Cinematic Universe), fans have been eagerly looking forward to the Coolie first show time, reviews, and the overall Coolie collection worldwide. But does the film live up to the hype? Let’s dive deep into this Coolie movie review and analyze its highs and lows.
Coolie Release Date and Initial Buzz
The Coolie release date was strategically set for the Independence Day weekend, August 14, 2025, making it a perfect holiday release for family audiences. Bookings on BookMyShow Coolie shows were phenomenal, with early morning shows sold out within hours of opening.
Lokesh Kanagaraj movies are known for their stylish making, strong characters, and interconnections within his cinematic universe. Fans were curious – is Coolie part of LCU? This question dominated social media trends, especially on Twitter, where hashtags like #CoolieReview, #LCU, and #Rajinikanth trended globally.
Adding to the excitement, the director dropped cryptic hints on Lokesh Kanagaraj Twitter about the film’s storyline and connections. Lokesh Kanagaraj Twitter Coolie tweets were filled with Easter eggs, teasing fans about potential crossovers with characters like Vikram from Kamal Haasan’s blockbuster and possible setups for future movies.
Coolie Movie Storyline – Too Many Threads, Too Little Coherence
The film opens with a bang – a stylish action sequence featuring Rajinikanth as a rugged yet charismatic Coolie who works at a major dockyard. The setting is gritty, the tone is intense, and the character introduction is vintage Thalaivar style. The first half sets up multiple plotlines – smuggling operations, political conspiracies, emotional backstories, and even a revenge angle.
However, here lies the problem. While Coolie 2025 tries to juggle too many ideas, it struggles to maintain focus. Each subplot feels like it could be an entire film on its own, but cramming them together results in a slightly disjointed experience.
The film attempts to incorporate LCU elements, linking events from Vikram and teasing future films, but these references feel forced rather than organic. Fans expecting a clear is Coolie part of LCU confirmation might be left guessing, as the film only provides vague hints instead of solid answers.
Rajinikanth in Coolie – The Ultimate Showstopper
If there’s one reason to watch Coolie film, it’s undoubtedly Rajinikanth. The Superstar is in top form, delivering punch dialogues, stylish action, and emotional depth in equal measure. Despite being in his seventies, Rajini proves why he remains the undisputed king of Indian cinema. His screen presence alone elevates even the weaker portions of the film.
One standout moment is his high-octane fight sequence at the shipyard, where his trademark swag meets Lokesh’s stylish action choreography. Fans went berserk in theaters, and videos of this scene are already trending on Twitter and Instagram.
Supporting Cast – Hits and Misses
The supporting cast includes talented actors like Shruti Haasan and Soubin Shahir.
- Shruti Haasan plays a strong-willed journalist who aids Rajinikanth’s character. While her role is impactful, it feels underdeveloped, especially in the second half.
- Soubin Shahir, known for his natural acting, portrays an important character in the smuggling racket. His performance is excellent, but his screen time is limited.
Other notable appearances include cameos that hint at Lokesh Kanagaraj movies connecting threads, making fans speculate even more about the LCU timeline.
Technical Aspects – Visuals, Music, and Action
Direction and Screenplay
Lokesh Kanagaraj, celebrated for his crisp storytelling in films like Vikram, seems to have lost some grip here. While the action set pieces are brilliant, the screenplay feels bloated. The narrative oscillates between too many ideas without providing a satisfying payoff.
Cinematography and Music
The cinematography is top-notch, capturing the dockyard landscapes and neon-lit action sequences beautifully. Anirudh’s background score, as expected, is electrifying and adds adrenaline to the action scenes. Songs, however, don’t leave a lasting impact, except for the intro number which is already trending on BookMyShow Coolie playlists.
Coolie Box Office Collection – How Big Is the Opening?
When it comes to numbers, Coolie collection worldwide has set the cash registers ringing. Early estimates suggest an opening day gross of over ₹120 crore worldwide, making it one of the biggest openers in Tamil cinema history.
Here’s a quick look:
- Coolie box office collection (Day 1 India): ₹80 crore (approx.)
- Coolie collection worldwide (Day 1): ₹120 crore (approx.)
Despite mixed reviews, the film’s massive pre-release buzz and Rajinikanth’s star power guarantee a solid first-week run.
Coolie Movie Rating
Critics and audiences have mixed opinions about the film. While fans celebrate Rajinikanth’s screen presence, many feel the film falls short in storytelling.
- Coolie Rating (Critics): 3/5
- Coolie Rating (Audience): 3.5/5
- Overall Coolie 2025 Reviews: Positive for Rajinikanth, average for story.
Rajinikanth Coolie Movie Review in Telugu
The Telugu version has also garnered attention with packed theaters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Coolie movie review in Telugu echoes similar sentiments – great star power, fantastic action, but a cluttered screenplay.
Coolie vs War 2 – The Big Clash
The Independence Day weekend witnessed two titanic releases – Coolie and War 2. Fans are curious about War 2 vs Coolie box office battle. While War 2 budget reportedly stands at a whopping ₹250 crore, Coolie’s budget is slightly lower but still grand.
Early trends show Coolie leading in South Indian markets, while War 2 dominates in North India. On a global scale, both films are performing exceptionally well, making it one of the biggest box-office clashes of 2025.
BookMyShow Coolie Ticket Bookings
The film recorded record-breaking advance bookings on BookMyShow, with tickets selling out within minutes. Screens across India ran early morning and special fan shows, proving Rajinikanth’s unmatched craze.
Twitter Reactions – Lokesh Kanagaraj Twitter Buzz
Twitter exploded with mixed reactions after the first show.
- Fans praised Rajinikanth: “Thalaivar is back! Coolie is a treat for fans!”
- Critics on Lokesh Kanagaraj Twitter Coolie posts expressed disappointment over the cluttered screenplay.
Celebrities like Taran Adarsh also shared their Coolie review USA insights, highlighting the film’s stylish presentation but criticizing its overstuffed narrative.
Final Verdict – Should You Watch Coolie?
If you are a Rajinikanth fan, Coolie 2025 is a celebration. His charisma, dialogues, and action will keep you glued to the screen. However, if you expect a tightly written thriller like Vikram, you might be disappointed by the messy second half.
The film has too many ideas but too little impact, making it a one-time watch for general audiences and a must-watch for die-hard Rajini fans.
Coolie Movie Highlights
✔ Power-packed performance by Rajinikanth
✔ Stylish action sequences and brilliant BGM
✖ Overstuffed screenplay with multiple subplots
✖ Weak emotional depth in supporting characters