Why Rajinikanth’s Coolie [2025] Failed to Meet Audience Expectations.

Intro

Rajinikanth’s Coolie released with immense anticipation in 2025, especially due to its star cast and collaboration with acclaimed director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Despite a strong opening and high pre-release hype, the film failed to sustain audience interest and fell short of box office expectations, turning into a major disappointment for fans and critics alike.

About the Film

Coolie stars Rajinikanth alongside Nagarjuna and Shruti Haasan, with Lokesh Kanagaraj directing. Known for his hit films like Master and Vikram, Kanagaraj’s collaboration with the superstar was expected to deliver a blockbuster. However, Coolie struggled to connect with audiences despite its big budget and production scale.

What Went Wrong?

• Lack of a Coherent Storyline: The most criticized issue was the film’s weak narrative. Unlike Kanagaraj’s usual tightly-woven scripts, Coolie felt disjointed, with scenes appearing loosely stitched and a confusing story flow that failed to emotionally engage viewers.

• Unclear Character Motivations: The characters, including Rajinikanth’s Deva, lacked consistent motivations. Many subplots felt forced, and except for a few, most characters did not serve the story progression effectively.

• Overstuffed with Cameos: The film included multiple cameos—by Aamir Khan, Upendra, and others—that were poorly integrated, seeming more like distractions than meaningful additions. This diluted the main storyline and pacing.

• High Expectations vs. Reality: Audience expectations based on Rajinikanth’s legacy and Kanagaraj’s track record were sky-high. The director later admitted that some disappointment stemmed from preconceptions the audience had, including assuming elements like time travel that the film never promised.

• Pacing Issues and Narrative Gaps: The film’s runtime included slow patches and missed opportunities to build intensity. Some sequences lacked clarity or logical coherence, which disengaged viewers.

Box Office Performance

Despite opening strong with close to ₹30 crore on Day 1 in Tamil Nadu, Coolie witnessed steep drops in attendance due to mixed word-of-mouth. After 19 days, it became a commercial failure in its biggest market, losing over ₹50 crore below expectations. Overseas markets also underperformed.

Why Fans Were Let Down

Fans expected an engaging story layered with strong emotions and action, befitting Rajinikanth’s stature. Instead, the film failed to deliver sustained excitement and felt weighed down by an overcomplicated script with too many elements competing for attention. Many felt that it lacked the “pizzazz” and sharpness of director Lokesh’s previous films.

Disclosure

Coolie serves as a reminder that star power alone can’t guarantee success without a compelling, cohesive story and satisfying execution. While the film has its moments, it highlights the challenges of balancing fan expectations and creative vision in big-budget cinema.