Actress Shruti Haasan will dazzle screen audiences with her appearance in the highly anticipated movie Coolie, to be directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced with megastar Rajinikanth in the lead. Shruti shared insights in a series of emotional interviews recently about her experience of acting in the action hero entertainer, her admiration for Rajinikanth, and the ways in which Coolie challenged her as an actress. The insights have sparked curiosity amongst audiences and industry commentators, with a rare peek at what will be one of the biggest movies of 2025.
“I Only Knew Him On Screen” – Shruti on Meeting Rajinikanth
Despite having her father, great star Kamal Haasan, Shruti confessed that she did not really know Rajinikanth that well in person before Coolie. “Just like anyone, I only knew him as the star in films. I did not really know him in life,” she explained candidly. Acting in a film with the icon made all the difference in that acquaintance. Shruti described Rajinikanth as “a mix of quick, shrewd mind, and deep warmth,” and that he’s “easy to talk to—relaxed, thoughtful, always encouraging her.”
This exposure to handling Rajinikanth beyond the mythology of his superstardom gave Shruti a newfound respect for the person behind the icon. She pointed to how his humility and wisdom helped guide her through the grueling shooting days.
Night Shoots, Chaos, and Creativity: Inside the Coolie Set
The shootings of the Coolies were nothing but a battlefield of creativity, Shruti having elaborated the shootings process to be exhilarating and physically tiring. Precise-choreographed situations and high-stake moments in the film usually included long and tiresome night shootings. “The night shootings were exhilarating and intense. None in the team sleeps until we attained that shot absolutely right. It was pandemonium—and I live in that kind of atmosphere!” she recalled with thrill.
This mad coherence, as she puts it, is the sign of the style of filmmaking of Lokesh Kanagaraj. High voltage and pressure are aspects that are found in his settings, but innovation and creativity are too. Shruti’s admiration for the direction of Lokesh can be seen in her statements, where she refers to the shoot as “beautiful kind of madness.” This tight structure appears to be the determinant of the emotionally rich and gripping narrative that Coolie intends to offer.
A Bold, Unexpected Role for Shruti Haasan
Where Shruti’s repertoire comes to mind, audiences are familiar with observing her intense acting in slim and deep emotional roles. But Coolie, she claims, is different from all that. “Others may not expect this kind of role from me—power-packed, deep and low-key but power-packed,” Shruti noticed.
In Coolie, Shruti will be seen playing Preethi, a character that has been defined as having grit and vulnerability in equal measure. Preethi isn’t a generic side role; this girl’s trajectory in the movie forms the crux of its emotional impact, they say. We know that writer/director Lokesh Kanagaraj prefers to create rich female roles, so Shruti might just be given the chance to buck the trend and surprise audiences in a major way.
Working with Lokesh Kanagaraj: A Filmmaker’s Dream
One of the common threads in Shruti’s interviews is that of respect for the director Lokesh Kanagaraj. From the moment she stepped into the set, Shruti knew that she was in good hands. She highlighted his cautious approach to filmmaking, his observant eye for detail, and his ability to make actors step out of their comfort zone.
“Lokesh sir will make you want to experiment freely but will also compel you to grow,” she elaborated. This interaction generated many transformative moments, Shruti added, of emotionally challenging moments that pushed her to her limits and endurance as a performer.
Shruti’s Evolution as an Actor
Beyond the film itself, Shruti Haasan’s commentary also reveals her personal and professional maturity. Having bridged mainstream and independent film in more than a single language, Coolie marks yet another milestone in her developing career. “This film changed the way that I look at storytelling,” she elaborated in a behind-the-scenes featurette.
She credits the set atmosphere, mentoring from Rajinikanth, and Lokesh’s liberal style of co-direction for releasing her to act at a different level. Shruti’s evolution from musician and actress to performer par excellence obviously comes through in the way she approaches Coolie.
A Star Reimagined in Coolie
With a global release slated for August 14, 2025, the excitement around the movie builds up with each passing day. Shruti Haasan’s disclosures regarding her role, the rigorous schedule in which the movie was shot, and her interactions with Rajinikanth have all contributed to more mystery and suspense around the movie’s release.
The actress’s raw and gripping interviews unveil a performer no more comfortable fitting into roles but molding them. With a step into this layered character, audiences are in store for a different side of Shruti Haasan—confident, mature, and rich in emotional depth.