In what is being hailed as one of the most exciting crossover moments in Indian cinema, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has made a scorching entry into the South film industry with Coolie, headlined by Rajinikanth and helmed by celebrated filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj. The first look of Aamir’s character, Dahaa, was unveiled by Sun Pictures on Thursday (July 3), instantly setting social media abuzz with fan reactions and wild speculation.
Sporting a dark, sleeveless vest, smoking a pipe, and exuding menace with a steely glare, Aamir’s avatar as Dahaa is both rugged and enigmatic. Despite being billed as a cameo, the character’s presentation hints at a potentially pivotal role in the narrative. The first look received thunderous applause online, with fans hailing it as a “dream combo” and a “banger reveal.” One user wrote, “Mr. Perfectionist in a Lokesh Kanagaraj frame — this is cinema!”
Though Coolie is already one of the most anticipated films of 2025, Aamir’s involvement has taken expectations to a whole new level. This marks his first-ever appearance in a South Indian film, and that too alongside a titan like Rajinikanth. In a recent interview promoting Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir revealed he agreed to the role without even reading the script. “I’m a huge fan of Rajini sir. When Lokesh told me about the film and said Rajini sir was in it, I immediately said yes,” Aamir shared.
Apart from Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan, Coolie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Pooja Hegde. The film’s technical crew includes composer Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographer Girish Gangadharan, and action choreographers Anbariv. Sun Pictures is backing the high-budget venture, with a reported production cost of ₹375 crore — making it one of India’s costliest films.
Coolie is scheduled for release on August 14 in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, aiming to capture a massive pan-Indian audience during the Independence Day weekend. However, the film is set to face tough competition at the box office, clashing with Yash Raj Films’ War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani.
Industry insiders report that War 2 is pulling out all the stops in terms of promotional strategies and theatre bookings, particularly in North India. This has prompted Coolie’s makers to strategically release Aamir’s look, hoping to draw North Indian audiences toward the Rajinikanth starrer. With Rajini enjoying considerable fanfare in the Hindi belt but not having a Lokesh-level brand presence in the North, Aamir’s cameo is seen as a vital move to bridge that gap.
Sources also suggest that Aamir’s role is not a fleeting appearance but may significantly influence the plot — possibly introducing a twist or backstory that could spin off into future narratives. While Lokesh Kanagaraj has confirmed that Coolie is not part of his interconnected “Lokesh Cinematic Universe,” the scale and ambition of the project remain unmatched.
As anticipation builds, it is now up to Sun Pictures to capitalize on the frenzy. If Aamir is brought into the film’s promotional campaign, Coolie could very well swing the spotlight away from War 2 and emerge as a cultural and commercial juggernaut.
Meanwhile, Aamir is also preparing to embark on two of his most awaited projects: an epic adaptation of the Mahabharata and a biopic on the legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke with director Rajkumar Hirani. Moreover, industry whispers suggest that Aamir and Lokesh Kanagaraj will reunite for a superhero action film in 2026, adding even more excitement to their creative collaboration.