Decoding Rajinikanth inspirations in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie teaser

The much-awaited teaser for Rajinikanth's upcoming movie Coolie has created quite an anticipation among fans. The film, which was temporarily titled Thaliavar 171, is co-written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. In line with Lokesh's reputation for drawing inspiration from old classics, the teaser for Coolie is replete with references taken from Rajinikanth's past blockbusters.

All of these Rajinikanth's movies are also available for streaming on OTTplay Premium .

Code Red:

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The title "Superstar" appears in red, instead of its typical blue. Fans are convinced that it's a code word for Rajinikanth playing a villainous role. The colour red has a connection with Rajinikanth's films. In "Enthiran," the well-behaved Chitti turns into homicidal 2.0 when scientist Bohra inserts a red chip into the humanoid robot. "This is an additional programming, a destruction programming," says Bohra before inserting the red chip into Chitti. Of course, a few scenes later, Bohra reaps the benefits when 2.0 smashes his head in with his bare hands.

Enthiran is streaming on SunNXT.

The Sambo Shiva Shambho song:

The teaser opens with Rajinikanth strumming a safe house which is stacked with gold items. As he takes on his rival, we hear him say the lyrics taken from the evergreen song Sambo Shiva Shambho from Ninaithale Inikkum. In the 1979 musical, Rajinikanth played a supporting role, while Kamal Haasan essayed the lead. Written and directed by K. Balachander, the film tells the eventful lives of the members of a musical band. Rajinikanth's Deepak, in the film, is a wild, rule-breaking lead guitarist and singer and serves as the film's main source of humour. He channels his life's maximum in the Sambo Shiva Shambho song, which was written by poet Kannadasan and sung by composer M. S. Viswanathan.

Ninaithale Inikkum is streaming on Raj TV.

The bad boy Ranga:

In 1982, Rajinikanth played an anti-hero in Ranga. In the film, we meet Ranga as an innocent, law-abiding, and decent man. But, a chance encounter with a thief named Raju drastically changes his outlook and very nature. He is convinced that playing by the rules is the sure way of dying poor and sad, so he turns to a life of crime and indulgence in all vices to live life to the fullest. On the flip side, Raju has a change of heart after meeting Ranga and reforms into a good man. When they both meet, Ranga borrows the lines from the Sambo Shiva Shambho song to explain the new-found philosophy that allows him to enjoy life without feeling guilty.

Ranga is streaming on SunNXT.

The Uzhaippaali badge:

Finally, the official title of Thalaivar 171 is revealed when Rajinikanth wipes the blood on the badge he is wearing on his left arm. It's an unmistakable reference to Rajinikanth's movie Uzhaippaali. In the 1993 blockbuster, written and directed by P Vasu, Rajinikanth plays the role of a hard-working coolie, representing the great virtues of working-class people.

Uzhaippaali is available for streaming on Raj TV.

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