Coolie (2025 film)

Coolie (lit. 'Coolie'; ) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures. The film stars Rajinikanth in the titular role, alongside Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Mahendran and Reba Monica John.

The film was officially announced in September 2023 under the tentative title Thalaivar 171, as Rajinikanth's 171st film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced in April 2024. Principal photography commenced the following July in Hyderabad along with another schedule held in Chennai. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj.

Coolie is scheduled to release worldwide in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats.

Cast

 * Rajinikanth
 * Sathyaraj
 * Shruti Haasan
 * Mahendran
 * Reba Monica John

Development
During the filming for Master in late 2019, Lokesh Kanagaraj reportedly visited Rajinikanth at his residence in Chennai and discussed a potential collaboration. The project was assumed to be Rajinikanth's 169th film as a leading actor; however, that position instead went to Jailer (2023). That December, Lokesh and Rajinikanth signed the contract, while Kamal Haasan was announced to fund the project, under Raaj Kamal Films International, the same month. However, despite initial plans, the principal photography, originally scheduled to commence in March 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Rajinikanth's prior commitments, which included Annaatthe (2021) and Jailer. The postponement led to Lokesh beginning his work for Vikram (2022) and Leo (2023), and Rajinikanth continuing to work on Annaatthe and Jailer.

Following three years, in early 2023, Lokesh was reported to have visited with Rajinikanth again for a potential script discussion. Subsequently, Mysskin and Babu Antony confirmed their collaboration that May, which was followed by Lokesh's confirmation in July, confirming his collaboration with the actor, tentatively titled Thalaivar 171. On 11 September, Sun Pictures officially announced the venture through their social media platforms. The project signifies Rajinikanth's maiden collaboration with Lokesh and fifth with the production house after Enthiran (2010), Petta (2019), Annaatthe and Jailer. The film is made on a production budget of inr 2300000000, with Lokesh and Rajinikanth receiving ₹60 crore and ₹150 crore for their remuneration respectively. Lokesh stated that the film would be a standalone film, not another entry in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), making it his third standalone film. The film's official title Coolie was announced on 22 April 2024. Unlike Lokesh's other films, Coolie does not revolve around drugs but gold smuggling.

Pre-production
Lokesh stated that he wrote the script during the post-production of Maanagaram (2017) in 2015. He also stated in December 2023 that he would not collaborate with Rathna Kumar, ending a continuous streak of three films. Subsequently, he co-wrote the film's script with Chandhru Anbazhagan, whom he previously co-wrote Maanagaram with. It took six months to complete the first half's script. A muhurat puja was held on 23 March 2024 at the headquarters of Sun Pictures in Chennai with the film's main cast and crew. The team shot and completed filming for the promotional teaser by 9 April.

In late-October 2023, Manoj Paramahamsa was announced as cinematographer. However, he was replaced with Girish Gangadharan, in his second collaboration with Lokesh after Vikram. Anirudh Ravichander would score the music, in his fourth consecutive film with the director. Lokesh further continued to retain most of his norm crew technicians including stunt choreography duo Anbariv, editor Philomin Raj, costume designer Praveen Raja and production designer N. Sathees Kumar. Lokesh stated that they would be filming with an IMAX-certified camera, rather than filming with an ordinary camera and later converting, thus making it as the first time to do so in Tamil cinema.

Casting
Rajinikanth would sport salt-and-pepper shaded hairstyle and beard, reminiscing his look in Kaala (2018). Sathyaraj was confirmed to play an important role, reuniting with Rajinikanth after a hiatus of 38 years as their last film together was Mr. Bharath (1986). Shruti Haasan was cast as the female lead, collaborating with Rajinikanth and Lokesh for the first time. Although Haasan and Lokesh earlier appeared in the music video "Inimel", Coolie signifies their maiden collaboration for a film. Mahendran joined the film in an important role; reuniting with Lokesh after Master, whilst Reba Monica John was also cast in an important role. Sandy announced his involvement, during an event in March 2024, reuniting with Lokesh after dance choreographing in Vikram and acting in Leo. However, he did not specify whether he would be dance choreographing or act.

Shobana was reported to have been cast as the female lead, pairing opposite Rajinikanth; whom she would reunite with after Thalapathi (1991). In late October 2023, Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kannada actors Yash Gowda and Duniya Vijay were reported to play the lead antagonist role. Prithviraj was initially approached for Lokesh's Leo; however, due to his busy schedule, he was unable to play the role which went to Arjun instead. The reports were dismissed in early November as Raghava Lawrence was reported to be in consideration for the role. Fahadh Faasil had been approached to play a prominent role, reuniting with Lokesh after Vikram, and Rajinikanth after Vettaiyan (2024), but declined due to scheduling conflicts. The director then reportedly approached Soubin Shahir for his role, and would mark his Tamil debut if true.

Filming
Principal photography was initially intended to begin in March 2024; however, Lokesh stated that month that filming was delayed to June. According to reports, the delay was due to a grand set was erected and not finished in time. Rajinikanth later confirmed that it was scheduled to begin on 10 June in Chennai, but failed to do so, reportedly due to pre-production delays. Filming then ultimately began with the first schedule on 5 July at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. The schedule was touted to be going for a month. Rajinikanth, along with Haasan and Mahendran, joined the concurrent schedule. The second schedule commenced at Adhityam Studios in Chennai on 17 July.

Music
The music and background score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his fifth collaboration with Rajinikanth after Petta (2019), Darbar (2020), Jailer (2023) and Vettaiyan (2024); fourth with Lokesh after Master (2021), Vikram (2022) and Leo (2023). Lokesh revealed that the lyrics for the songs will be written by his assistant director Vishnu Edavan. The audio rights were acquired by Sun Pictures's own company. "Coolie Disco" was the track featured on the teaser trailer that released on 22 April 2024. It features a sample of "Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa", composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Thanga Magan (1983).

Marketing
The first look poster was released on 28 March 2024, without any pre-announcement. The film's teaser trailer was released on 22 April, which revealed the film's title.

Theatrical
Coolie is scheduled to release worldwide in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats. Apart from the original Tamil language, the film is also scheduled to release with dubbed versions in the Hindi, Telugu and Kannada-languages. As well as the IMAX format, the makers are also reportedly planning to release it in the 3D format.

Home media
The digital streaming rights were acquired reportedly acquired by Amazon Prime Video and the satellite rights by Sun TV.

Legal issues
A week after the teaser's release, Ilaiyaraaja sent a notice to the makers for using "Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa" in the teaser without his permission. Pointed as an offence under the Copyright Act of 1976, the composer demanded the makers to get proper permission or remove the track from the teaser. Rajinikanth, when questioned about the issue, stated that it was only between Ilaiyaraaja and the film's producer, Kalanithi Maran. However, according to critic Sathish Kumar, Ilaiyaraaja does not hold the copyright to the song as Echo, the record label of the song, had their entire catalogue acquired by Sony Music South who later sold this song's rights to Sun Pictures. During a hearing in the Madras High Court in late April, the judge said Ilaiyaraaja could not claim exclusive ownership over the song, as the lyrics were written by a different person.