In a surprising turn of events within Indian cinema’s buzz ecosystem, Telugu superstar Nagarjuna is dominating headlines, thanks to his pivotal role in Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. While Jr NTR’s involvement in the pan-India spy action thriller War 2 was expected to make the loudest noise, recent online metrics and fan reactions suggest that Nagarjuna’s appearance in Coolie may have eclipsed it—at least for now.
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have been flooded with fan-made posters, video edits, and speculation threads about Nagarjuna’s character. His rugged salt-and-pepper look, paired with Lokesh’s signature dark-action treatment, has created a fresh wave of excitement among both Tamil and Telugu cinema fans.
Industry observers note that Nagarjuna’s collaboration with Rajinikanth in a Lokesh Kanagaraj film is historic in its own right. The combination brings together decades of superstardom and fan loyalty under one high-voltage narrative. Moreover, Nagarjuna’s presence brings strong Telugu market penetration, a key factor in Coolie’s potential pan-India box office success.
Meanwhile, Jr NTR’s casting in War 2—the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster War and part of the YRF Spy Universe—was initially hailed as a landmark moment for Telugu actors entering Bollywood’s big-budget terrain. However, the buzz around War 2 seems to have plateaued after the initial announcement, with updates from the production remaining scarce.
Comparative fan interactions, meme virality, and YouTube trailer reactions all currently point to Coolie dominating the hype charts, especially after Lokesh Kanagaraj confirmed that he has “not compromised on violence” in the film. His statement that Coolie will be “a gritty, violent action movie that stays true to Rajinikanth’s mass image” only further ignited anticipation. With Nagarjuna being a major part of this cinematic storm, expectations are sky-high.
Film trade analysts are also weighing in on this growing narrative. According to sources, Coolie might benefit not just from Rajinikanth’s superstardom but from the cross-industry appeal brought in by Nagarjuna—something War 2 is yet to fully capitalize on despite Jr NTR’s involvement.
While it’s too early to declare which film will ultimately win the box office war, the current trend suggests Nagarjuna’s role in Coolie is not just hyped—it’s momentous. It signals a shift where senior stars can still command online dominance, especially when placed under visionary directors like Lokesh Kanagaraj.
Whether this momentum will sustain until release remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Coolie has become the most talked-about film of the moment—and Nagarjuna, its unexpected catalyst.