Rajinikanth-Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie gets a special release date to mark the superstar’s 50-year acting journey

The makers of Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, announce August 14 as the release date of the multi-starrer

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | April 4, 2025 07:11 PM IST

3 min read

Release date of Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie is out

Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie to hit the screens this August

In 1975, on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, a Tamil film hit the screens that would go on to become a seminal film in the pages of Indian cinema history. The film was K Balachander’s Aboorva Raagangal, and featured the first full-fledged lead role of Kamal Haasan in Tamil. He was paired opposite the evergreen Srividya, and the film had a cameo by an actor who passed out of the Madras Film Institute. A bus conductor-turned-actor who would go on to be rechristened as Rajinikanth.

It is hence fitting that on the eve of the 50th year anniversary of his acting career, Rajinikanth is bringing to the screens his next big offering, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Bankrolled by Sun Pictures, Coolie is set to be released on August 14 this year. Interestingly, Nelson’s Jailer, Rajinikanth’s previous film with Sun Pictures, was also released in the second week of August.

ALSO READ: Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir become Simon, Preethi, and Dayal for Rajinikanth-Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie

Sharing a new poster featuring Rajinikanth, the makers officially announced the release date. Interestingly, while the film is expected to have a largely hassle-free time at the box-office in Tamil, the Independence day weekend will be crowded because of the expected release of War 2, headlined by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. While this might eat into Coolie’s prospects in the Hindi belt and the Telugu states, the film is expected to create magic because it is the maiden collaboration of Rajinikanth and hotshot filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj.

Lokesh, who is known for his films like Vikram, Leo, and Kaithi, which are part of his ambitious Lokesh Cinematic Universe, earlier revealed that Coolie will be a standalone film, and not part of the LCU. Apart from Rajinikanth, the film has a stellar star cast comprising top talents from multiple industries. Coolie stars Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, and is speculated to feature a cameo by Aamir Khan.

The combination of Lokesh and music director Anirudh, who first collaborated in Vijay’s Master, and went on to work together in films like Vikram and Leo, continues for the fourth straight time with Leo. With cinematography by Girish Gangadharan, editing by Philomin Raj, and stunt choreography by the National award-winning duo Anbariv, Coolie is expected to create new records in Tamil cinema.

ALSO READ: ‘Rajinikanth is the first to reach sets, often coming 1.5 hours before shoot begins’: Lokesh Kanagaraj compares him to Kamal Haasan, Vijay

Rajinikanth, who recently wrapped up the filming for Coolie, is currently working on Jailer 2, the sequel to the 2023 Nelson-directed blockbuster. Lokesh has multiple projects planned, including the continuation of the LCU with Karthi’s Kaithi 2, and the speculated revival of his pet project, Irumbukai Mayavi, in Hindi with Aamir in the lead.

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