Coolie Review: Rajinikanth & Aamir Khan’s Action Drama

After all the hype and anticipation, the movie Coolie has finally come to the big screen featuring two of the biggest names in Indian cinema, Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan, who alone are both box office colossal powerhouses. Billed as an action entertainer with all the bells and whistles, it has been on the media spotlight for several months and both fans and trading experts eagerly awaited record numbers. 

From the moment the first teaser was released, Coolie became one of the most anticipated films of the year, where the dynamic combination of Rajinikanth's larger-than-life screen image and Aamir Khan's intense, method-acting promise to give the film a unique balance of style and substance. But now that it is officially released in theaters, the film faces it's biggest hurdle of all in the consumption of Mixed reviews by the hardcore fanbase and indifferent outside audiences.

Star Power, Action, and Story – Does Coolie Deliver on All Fronts?

Rajinikanth’s unquestionable screen presence  

Rajinikanth is the film's heart. His signature style, slick delivery of dialogue, mannerisms, and charm own every scene. For fans of Rajinikanth, simply seeing him is worth the price of admission. However, critics have suggested that the film relies too much on his persona without providing enough depth to his character. 

Aamir Khan's transformation and performance  

Aamir Khan is given a role that asks for a physical transformation and equally heavy emotional engagement. In his versatile career, he has proven he is a passionate actor who can give heft to the text. He has a subtle, calculated style of acting that rips the tongue out of the contrasting flamboyant performance of Rajinikanth — this combination makes for some memorable on-screen moments. Other viewers had the opposite impression, and simply thought the film did not adequately squeeze the juice from this rare collaboration.  

#Coolie #CoolieReview

The best movie on #50yearsofRajinism, thanks @Dir_Lokesh 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Thalaivaaaa , brilliant!
With all the characters worth it , box office shatters easily!

❤️❤️🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/64UMlBpASt

— Navaneeth S (@Navaneethnav5) August 14, 2025

High-octane action set-pieces  

The action is another big talking point of the film. Coolie has incredible stunts, relentless fights, and extensive chase sequences. The action sequences are technically-great and visually-magnificent. However, sometimes it feels like the action threatens to overtake the emotional underbelly of the film.

The plot 

The plot deals with corruption, justice and survival. While portions of the film display suspenseful drama, some of the story will appear very much like tropes to people who have patronized theaters for years. Some of the twists were predictable which made the film lose some of its impact. 

Supporting cast and music 

The supporting actors were all adequate in their roles but the film was focused more on the two stars. The music which includes a blend of both energetic songs as well as emotional songs serves to convey atmosphere during the film. All of the musical selections complemented the action of the film very well, however, none of the songs could be remotely termed as classic hits.

Audience Reaction: A Mixed First Impression

• Fans of the stars are thrilled by the spectacle and the rare chance to see Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan share the screen.

• Neutral viewers are divided — many appreciate the performances and visuals but feel the story could have been stronger.

• Critics note that while Coolie delivers on entertainment, it doesn’t fully push creative boundaries.

Conclusion

Coolie is a landmark release in terms of casting and scale, offering big-screen thrills and moments of cinematic grandeur. Rajinikanth’s magnetic presence and Aamir Khan’s nuanced performance make it worth watching for fans of both actors. However, the mixed audience response suggests that while the film shines in spectacle, it may not leave the lasting impact its hype promised