As hype for Coolie gathers in the months leading up to its August 14, 2025, release, director Lokesh Kanagaraj released a glowing endorsement from none other than Superstar Rajinikanth himself: Coolie reminded him of Mani Ratnam’s classic, Thalapathi.
Lokesh, in an open interview, recounts a crucial dubbing studio scene: when Rajinikanth was shown a rough cut, he hugged Lokesh and said, “It was like Thalapathi for me.” For a director conditioned in the narrative style of Mani Ratnam, and for a superstar sharing an iconic role in Thalapathi, the phrase was freighted in an emotional sense.
Why Thalapathi Keeps Echoing in Coolie
Thalapathi (1991), Mani Ratnam’s most successful directing project for Rajinikanth, is perhaps his most sensitively nuanced and acclaimed film. The tale is a modern retelling of the Karna–Duryodhana relationship in the Mahabharata, and its successful incorporation of action, drama, and sentiment set new standards for Tamil cinema.
In Coolie’s promo release and 100‑day countdown trailer, audiences were treated to an striking silhouette frame—Rajinikanth against sunset—in uncanny resemblance to an identical frame in Thalapathi. Lokesh borrowed such visual echo in toto, aiming to borrow the very same emotional tone and ethical imagery but without retelling Mani Ratnam’s story.
Lokesh’s Intent: A Tone, Not a Copy
Lokesh clarified he did not set out to remake Thalapathi, but rather sought to capture its spirit—that blend of moral conviction, character-driven emotion, and visual poetry.
“Thalapathi is my favourite film in Rajinikanth sir’s career…I tried to capture something in that space,” adding that hearing the praise felt like a “personal victory.”
The distinction is crucial: Lokesh borrows from a legacy but forges his own ground by building an all-new narrative centered on gold smuggling, whistleblowing, and family ethics—a stand-alone story that combines Lokesh’s classic sensibility as a writer of noirs and mass appeal for Rajini.
Fans React: Nostalgia Meets Excitement
The Coolie team tactfully capitalized on the sentiment of Thalapathi, releasing a 100‑day countdown teaser that replicated that iconic frame in style. Social networking was overwhelmed in appreciation of Rajinikanth’s vintage charisma and showering comments in such as “Coolie is like Thalapathi—super one”
One redditor responded, “Maybe he’s referring to that one shot, not the whole movie,” which raised consideration for visual homage and thematic similarity.
Coolie Carries the Weight of Legacy
By adding Rajinikanth’s individual imprint and teasers infused with Thalapathi, Coolie is regarded as a film which honors heritage along with venturing new creative boundaries. Since Lokesh Kanagaraj is collaboratively working alongside the star of the box office for the very first time, expectations are higher than ever before.
As fans countdown to August 14, one thing is clear: Coolie isn’t just another star vehicle—it’s a cinematic dialogue with history, vision, and emotion.