Coolie

Template:Infobox filmCoolie is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures. The film stars Rajinikanth in the titular role, alongside Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John and Junior MGR.

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, with filming held at Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Jaipur. 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.

Synopsis

Delves into a man’s relentless quest for vengeance since youth, driven by righting past wrongs, shaping his very existence. Viewers experience the complexities of his tumultuous vendetta journey.

Music

Template:Infobox albumThe soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his fourth collaboration with Lokesh after Master, Vikram and Leo; fifth with Rajinikanth after Petta, Darbar (2020), Jailer and Vettaiyan. 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.<ref>"Coolie Disco (from "Coolie")". Spotify. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.</ref> It features a sample of "Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa", written by Muthulingam and composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Thanga Magan (1983), also starring Rajinikanth.<ref>பாரதிராஜா, மை. (23 April 2024). "Coolie: 'டிஸ்கோ டிஸ்கோ' ரீமிக்ஸ் தெரியும்; இதன் ஒரிஜினல் 'தங்க மகன்' வெர்ஷன் தெரியுமா?". Ananda Vikatan (in தமிழ்). Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.</ref> Another song, "Chikitu Vibe", was teased on 12 December 2024, Rajinikanth's birthday.<ref>"Coolie promo: A swaggy Rajinikanth steals the spotlight". India Today. 12 December 2024. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.</ref>Template:Track listing

Marketing

The first look poster was released on 28 March 2024, without any pre-announcement.<ref>"Thalaivar 171: Rajinikanth is ultra stylish in Lokesh Kanagaraj's next". The Indian Express. 28 March 2024. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.</ref> The film's teaser trailer was released on 22 April, which revealed the film's title.<ref>"'Coolie' returns 41 years later! Rajinikanth unveils title of 'Thalaivar 171'". The Economic Times. 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.</ref><ref>"Coolie: Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 171 gets a new name and teaser". Filmfare. 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.</ref> Hardika Gupta of NDTV noted that the teaser paid homage to Rajinikanth's iconic roles as a coolie in Mullum Malarum (1978), Mannan (1992) and Uzhaippali (1993), while also noting the use of easter eggs from Rajinikanth's filmography, which included Rajinikanth singing "Sambo Siva Sambo" from Ninaithale Inikkum (1979), and a popular dialogue said by the actor from Ranga (1982).<ref>Gupta, Hardika (23 April 2024). "Coolie Teaser: Behold The Glory Of Rajinikanth In Thalaivar 171". NDTV. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.</ref> A 59-second teaser that teased the song "Chikitu Vibe" was released on Rajinikanth's birthday, 12 December 2024.<ref>"Coolie makers gift 'Chikitu vibe' song for Rajinikanth fans on 'Thalaivar' birthday". The Indian Express. 12 December 2024. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.</ref><ref>Rana, Aditi (12 December 2024). "Coolie: Superstar Rajinikanths Chikitu Vibe Takes Over The Internet". Zee News. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.</ref>

Release

Theatrical

Coolie is scheduled to release theatrically in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats.<ref>"Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' release plans". The Times of India. 6 November 2024. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.</ref> Apart from the original Tamil language, the film is also scheduled to release with dubbed versions in the Telugu, Hindi and Kannada-languages.<ref>"Rajinikanth to sport Kaala-style look in 'Coolie'". Onmanorama. 5 July 2024. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.</ref> Reportedly, it is being aimed to release in either May or June 2025.

Home media

The post-theatrical streaming rights of Coolie were reportedly acquired by Amazon Prime Video.<ref>Manu, Hridyambika A (15 June 2024). "Coolie OTT partner revealed! Digital rights to Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj's film sold for a massive amount". Desimartini. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.</ref>

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. Calling it an offence under the Copyright Act of 1976, he demanded the makers attain proper permission or remove the track from the teaser.<ref>"Ilaiyaraaja sends a copyright notice to Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' team". The Times of India. 1 May 2024. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.</ref><ref>"Ilaiyaraaja issues copyright notice to Sun Pictures for using his song in Rajinikanth's Coolie promo". Cinema Express. 1 May 2024. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.</ref> Rajinikanth, when questioned about the issue, stated that it was only between Ilaiyaraaja and the film's producer, Kalanithi Maran.<ref>"Rajinikanth reacts to 'Coolie' audio rights issue". The Times of India. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.</ref> 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.<ref>"Ilaiyaraaja doesn't hold the copyright for the song 'Va Va Pakkam Va' featured in the 'Coolie' teaser- deets inside". The Times of India. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.</ref> During a hearing in the Madras High Court in late April, the judge stated Ilaiyaraaja could not claim exclusive ownership over the song, as the lyrics were written by a different person.<ref>"Ilaiyaraaja fights for rights of his music being used for Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, but what do copyright laws say?". Hindustan Times. 15 May 2024. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.</ref>

External links

• Template:IMDb title

References

<references />