Coolie audio launch: From working for Rs 2, dig at his hair loss, being a 1950s model, everything Rajinikanth said during his speech
Rajinikanth, the star of Coolie, made a witty, impactful, and inclusive speech during the audio launch as he recalled working in the action thriller helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj
Last Updated: 02.04 PM, Aug 03, 2025
The Coolie trailer and audio launch event took place in the presence of the cast and crew in Chennai on Saturday. Headlined by Rajinikanth, and directed by filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie is an action thriller which is all set to hit big screens on August 14. While the event was a close door one, many expectations were there to catch the glimpse of Rajinikanth’s speech, which is usually filled with anecdotes, jokes and trivia about the film and tram members. With the Coolie trailer launch event to be telecast on a private channel later, here are the main key points Rajinikanth talked during to the event.
Coolie audio launch: Major takeaways from Rajinikanth’s speech
Rajinikanth who collaborated with Lokesh Kanagaraj for the first time, talked about how the true hero of the film is the director himself. He added that Coolie had expectations sky-high which rose organically. Talking about reuniting with Sun Pictures after the success of Jailer, Rajinikanth credited the stellar star cast, and Anirudh Ravichander's music which elevated to another level.
He revealed how he met Lokesh after watching Kaithi and asked if he had any stories for him. He said he was a Kamal Haasan fan and Rajinikanth revealed the cheeky reply he gave back then, "Did I ask you whose fan you are?”
On working with Nagarjuna, Rajinikanth was in wow of the former's hairstyle and made yet another self-deprecating joke of how he lost all of his. "When I asked him what was the secret, he said exercise." Continuing his witty self, Rajinikanth talked about Nagarjuna and Aamir Khan's interviews on which they revealed about their roles in Coolie, even before the official word from the makers revealed anything. The superstar did not forget to include Lokesh to his roasting list, as he recalled watching Lokesh's two-hour long interview for a YouTube channel. In his typical witty style, Rajinikanth said how he sat, stood, paced, slept and even woke up during the interview, and it still went on! Rajinikanth also talked about reuniting with Sathyaraj and how they had shared difference of opinions once. "I had ideological differences with him once. But he is a man who wears heart on his sleeve."
Not to forget the main technicians, Rajinikanth called the cinematographer Girish Gangadharan as one of the handsome men in the profession, and added how Lokesh has a good rapport with him. With regards to editor Philomin Raj, Rajinikanth gave away little about Coolie by saying it has been edited in a non-linear pattern. After giving a word of praise to action coordinators Anbarivu, Rajinikanth joked about working with choreographer Sandy. "I told him I am 1950s model," Rajinikanth said making the audience laugh, as he narrated how he asked Sandy to handle him with care.
What else did Rajinikanth say?
Talking about the cast of Coolie, Rajinikanth began with Kannada actor Upendra and how he is playing an important role. He recalled asking Lokesh who is playing the specific cameo role and was shocked to hear Upendra's name. From the trailer of Coolie, it looks like Upendra will appear in the flashback portions with his role being pivotal to the future happenings.
While we might still need to wait for Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to reunite, the former is working with the latter's daughter and actor Shruti Haasan in Coolie. The superstar appreciated Shruti Haasan who is the only known female key role in the film, and said she has done a good job. In fact, Rajinikanth said he was surprised that Shruti Haasan is doing that role, given she played a glamourous girl in 3 (directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth), and pleasantly taken aback that she was interested to work in Coolie more than in her father’s film.
Rajinikanth who plays a coolie in the film, has also come from humble beginnings and revisited the time he actually worked as a coolie. "I have been shouted at many times and one day, I remember someone offering me Rs 2 to lift the luggage. I realised that it was my friend and I had mocked him a lot. He had put me in place, and that was the first time I cried."
The whole speech of Rajinikanth is expected to come out soon as a telecast, along with what others had said. Meanwhile, watch the trailer of Coolie and let us know what are your expectations from the film.
FAQs
Q. Is Coolie 2025 part of the LCU?
A. No, Coolie is not part of LCU.
Q. How much Rajinikanth paid for Coolie?
A. Reportedly, Rajinikanth was paid Rs 260-280 crore for Coolie.
Q. What is the story of Rajinikanth's Coolie?
A. Coolie is said to be an action thriller about an aged gangster taking his revenge.