This is an Indian Tamil-language action thriller, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and released in theaters on August 14, 2025.
- Plot: A former coolie union leader named Deva (Rajinikanth) investigates the suspicious death of a friend, leading him to uncover a gold smuggling crime syndicate and confront secrets from his own past.
- Cast: Stars Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Soubin Shahir, with special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde.
- Reviews: Received mixed reviews, with many praising Rajinikanth’s “vintage swagger,” the ensemble cast, and Anirudh Ravichander’s score, but criticizing the slow pacing and convoluted plot.
- Streaming: The film was made available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting in September 2025.
Coolie (1983 Hindi film)
This is a Bollywood action-comedy directed by Manmohan Desai, most famously known for the on-set injury of lead actor Amitabh Bachchan.
- Plot: Separated from his family as a child, Iqbal (Amitabh Bachchan) grows up to become a railway coolie and union leader. He eventually confronts the corrupt businessman, Zafar, who was responsible for his family’s devastation.
- Cast: Stars Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, and Kader Khan.
- Trivia: During a fight scene, Amitabh Bachchan suffered a near-fatal accident. The script was later changed to give the hero a happy ending, and a message explaining the incident was added to the final film.
- Streaming: The film is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Other versions of Coolie
Coolie No. 1 (1991 Telugu film): A Telugu romantic action film starring Venkatesh and Tabu, about a coolie who seeks revenge on an arrogant millionaire’s daughter.
Coolie (1983 Malayalam film): A Malayalam-language action drama starring Mammootty and Ratheesh, about a police officer trying to protect porters from a local don.
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