For those who come to watch Rajini for a larger-than-life, first-day-first-show vibe, he will not disappoint in Coolie, raves Divya Nair.
First things first.
The trailer for Coolie did not do justice to the mega star cast.
Featuring actors from Malayalam (Soubin), Telugu (Nagarjuna), Kannada (Upendra Rao), and Bollywood (Aamir Khan), Director Lokesh Kanagaraj promised a spectacle worth waiting for.
This is the first time Lokesh is collaborating with Rajinikanth. The result? A generous mix of swag, emotion, and action in equal measure.
Also, this is probably Rajini's first film with an A certificate.
Rajini plays Devaraj aka Deva, a former coolie/union leader, who runs a hostel in Chennai.
When his best friend Dr Rajasekharan (Sathyaraj) is killed, he sets off to Vishakhapatnam to seek revenge.
Vishakhapatnam, we are told, is Simon's den (Nagarjuna, in one of his most stylish appearances in recent times).
There is a lot of buildup, warning us about how he runs a dangerous smuggling business and why no one wants to mess with him. After a cat-and-mouse chase (jujubes, as Rajini would call it), along with Rajasekharan's daughter, Preethi (played by Shruti Haasan), Deva plans to find out how and why Rajasekharan was killed.
Is Coolie a part of LCU (Loki cinematic universe of Kaithi, Vikram, Leo)?
The director says no, but the vintage aesthetic, with lots of deep reds and rich greens, muted golds and browns. It has Loki's signature written all over.
Trust him to play with guns and gore like foreplay before sex.
He is so comfortable in this genre that it's no surprise he makes demigods out of supporting cast members as well. Don't be surprised if almost everyone in the film feels like she/he the main character of their story.
There are several stylishly shot scenes, but the hostel rescue scene is easily one of the best sequences of the first half -- it has got Rajini's quintessential smirk and sarcasm.
What I like about Coolie is how he plays to each star's strengths and creates a distinct arc around it.
Revealing more would be revealing the story itself.
But watch out for Dayal and Kalyani's character transition in the second half.
The high point of Coolie is the twist, which comes one after another -- and I bet you won't even see it coming!
And that is what makes Loki's Coolie distinct: The riveting storytelling.
When people ask why South cinema ranks better than Bollywood, a top reason I would say is how directors like Lokesh introduce their characters -- larger than life, each with their own background anthem. And that is what multiplex commercial cinema is all about.
It's not just the smart, slow-motion fight sequences; the emotional scenes are handled well, too.
Coolie is also a story about a rare friendship, so the flashback and friendship angle between Rajini and Satyaraj is just as interesting.
The first half, which is mostly a face-off between Simon and Deva, definitely holds you by the collar.
The second half drags on with Deva's backstory, only to wrap up with a pointless Dahaa (Aamir) cameo. Utter disappointment!
Though Shruti Haasan acts well in parts, using her as a weakness against Deva’s revenge may work for the sentiments, but honestly, it’s lazy writing. Besides, it robs the actors of their true potential.
Overall, Rajini is a powerhouse, whether he is throwing punches, shaking a leg, or simply lighting a beedi against a pipe.
And who can forget the way he switches his tone, throws in a sarcastic, mock laughter, and drops the perfectly-timed masterstroke: Mudichulama (Shall we finish)? Or Thodra paakalam (Touch, and you will find out).
Those of you who are looking for logic, story, and meaningful cinema, you have come to the wrong review.
And if you didn’t enjoy Vikram, Coolie might feel like a full-course buffet you just can’t digest.
But for those who come to watch Rajini for a larger-than-life, first-day-first-show vibe, he will not disappoint.
Coolie Review Rediff Rating: