Hyderabad’s grand pre-release event for Coolie, held on August 4, turned into a celebration of South Indian cinema’s might. The evening belonged to Nagarjuna, whose speech—raw, warm, and electric—won the crowd over. Standing before thousands of Telugu fans, the Akkineni icon spoke about transforming into ‘Simon’, the antagonist of the film, describing it as one of the most liberating roles of his career.
“This is not your regular villain. Simon is power, style, and depth rolled into one. I didn’t just act—I lived him,” Nagarjuna declared, drawing massive cheers. The Telugu superstar was effusive in his praise for director Lokesh Kanagaraj, calling him one of the most disciplined and grounded filmmakers he has worked with. “He wrapped the shoot with ₹5 crore under budget. That’s unheard of in today’s cinema,” he said with a chuckle, adding that Lokesh brings “intensity, clarity, and humility” to the set.
Rajinikanth’s Virtual Presence Steals the Show
While fans missed seeing Rajinikanth in person, the Superstar made his presence felt through a live video message—and he didn’t hold back. With his signature blend of humility and swagger, Rajini showered praise on both Nagarjuna and Lokesh. “Watching Nagarjuna perform as Simon gave me goosebumps. This role, I believe, will be spoken of in the same breath as Baasha,” he said, invoking his own iconic don character.
He further likened Lokesh Kanagaraj to S.S. Rajamouli—not in terms of visuals, but for his vision, conviction, and command over craft. “I saw Lokesh’s sincerity, the intensity with which he shoots every frame. In my view, he is not just Tamil Nadu’s pride—he’s India’s,” Rajini declared, visibly proud of the director’s rise.
Nagarjuna’s Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes Melt Hearts
Perhaps the most endearing part of Nagarjuna’s speech was his memory of a shooting schedule in Bangkok. “We were shooting for 17 days. On the last day, Rajini sir called all 350 crew members, handed each of them cash, and said, ‘Go shop for your families back home.’ That’s the man he is. Not just a star, but a saint with a smile,” Nagarjuna recalled, eyes glinting with admiration.
He also revealed that Rajinikanth never treated him as a junior or co-star—always as an equal. “On set, he was always the first to arrive, the last to leave, and the first to clap for others’ performances. That energy is divine,” Nagarjuna said, as the audience broke into chants of ‘Thalaiva’.
The Chennai Event – A Musical and Emotional Tour de Force
Two days earlier, the Chennai audio launch had already made headlines. Rajinikanth’s on-stage speech was packed with wit, reflection, and respect. He reminisced about his early struggles as a real-life coolie before cinema transformed his destiny. He warned young actors to avoid dangerous stunts, calling today’s action choreography “unnecessarily risky,” and reminded them that style without safety is no victory.
He didn’t forget to praise music director Anirudh Ravichander, calling him “the heartbeat of Coolie” and saying, “You are no longer India’s Rockstar—you’re now the world’s.” A visibly moved Shruti Haasan thanked Rajini for being a constant inspiration, while Sathyaraj, in his speech, called Coolie “a celebration of Rajinikanth’s five-decade legacy.”
Coolie: Set to Explode Nationwide
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie is a pan-Indian action drama releasing on August 14 in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. With Rajinikanth as Deva, Nagarjuna as the antagonist Simon, and an ensemble including Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and a surprise cameo from Aamir Khan, the film is riding on massive buzz.
Lokesh’s ability to merge mass moments with intricate storytelling has created sky-high expectations. The trailer, released just days ago, broke viewership records and flooded social media with theories, memes, and breakdowns. Fans are calling it “vintage Rajini with new-gen fire.”
Final Word: When Legends Align, History Is Made
In an industry where ego often overshadows collaboration, Coolie stands out. Rajinikanth’s spiritual charisma, Nagarjuna’s effortless charm, and Lokesh’s youthful brilliance have come together to create not just a film, but an event. With each speech, each anecdote, and each heartfelt moment shared, the excitement has only intensified.
Now, all eyes are on August 14.