The film was officially announced in September 2023 under the tentative title Thalaivar 171 as Rajinikanth's 171st film as a lead actor and the official title was announced in April 2024. Principal photography commenced the following July in Hyderabad along with a schedule in Visakhapatnam, which was followed by another schedule held at Jaipur. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj.
Coolie is scheduled to release worldwide in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats.
During the filming for Master in late 2019, it was reported that director Lokesh Kanagaraj had met Rajinikanth at his residence in Chennai and narrated a script that impressed the actor. The project was supposed to be Rajinikanth's 169th film; however, that position instead went to Jailer (2023).[4] Reportedly, Raaj Kamal Films International would fund the project as Lokesh was already signed by the studio.[5][6] Production was reportedly set to begin in April 2020,[7] but it was delayed to the following August due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the actor's commitments to Annaatthe (2021).[8] Though some reports suggested that the project was shelved due to Rajinikanth stating that he would be entering into politics and reports stating that he would enter after completing Annaatthe, others said this was not true.[9] That August, Lokesh neither confirmed nor denied the project, stating that announcing such a project officially was the producer's call.[10]
In May, Lokesh was reported to have conducted a photoshoot with Rajinikanth for a potential film.[11] Subsequently, in July, Babu Antony confirmed their collaboration,[12] which was followed by Lokesh's own confirmation, for the tentatively titled Thalaivar 171.[13] On 11 September, Sun Pictures officially announced the venture through their social media platforms.[14] The project signifies Rajinikanth's maiden collaboration with Lokesh and fifth with the production house after Enthiran (2010), Petta (2019), Annaatthe and Jailer. Lokesh and Rajinikanth would reportedly receive ₹60 crore and ₹180 crore for their remuneration respectively.[15][16] Lokesh stated that the film would be a standalone film, separate from the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU).[17] The film's official title Coolie was announced on 22 April 2024.[18] Unlike Lokesh's other films, Coolie does not revolve around drugs but gold smuggling.[19]
Pre-production
Lokesh stated that he wrote the script during the post-production of Maanagaram (2017) in 2015.[20]Rathna Kumar, a frequent co-writer of Lokesh's films, was unable to commit to the project due to scheduling conflicts.[21] Subsequently, Lokesh co-wrote the film's script with Chandhru Anbazhagan, whom he previously co-wrote Maanagaram with.[22] It took six months to complete the first half's script.[23][24] The team shot and completed filming for the promotional teaser by 9 April.[25]
In late-October 2023, Manoj Paramahamsa was announced as cinematographer. However, he was replaced with Girish Gangadharan, in his second collaboration with Lokesh after Vikram.[26][27]Anirudh Ravichander would score the music, in his fourth consecutive film with the director.[28] Lokesh further continued to retain most of his norm crew technicians including stunt choreography duo Anbariv,[29] editor Philomin Raj, costume designer Praveen Raja and production designer N. Sathees Kumar.[30] Lokesh stated that they would be filming with an IMAX-certified camera, rather than filming with an ordinary camera and later converting, thus making it as the first time to do so in Tamil cinema.[31]
Casting
For his character, Rajinikanth would sport a grey-shaded hairstyle and beard, reminiscent of his look in Kaala (2018).[32][33]Telugu actor Nagarjuna was cast as the main antagonist, in his eighth Tamil film, and also first collaboration with Rajinikanth and Lokesh.[34]Malayalam actor Soubin Shahir was confirmed to be playing an important role, in his Tamil film debut as well as first collaboration with Rajinikanth and Lokesh.[35][36]Shruti Haasan also joined the film in an important role,[37] while Sathyaraj was also cast in an important role.[38] He would reunite with Rajinikanth after a hiatus of thirty-eight years since Mr. Bharath (1986).[39]Kannada actor Upendra was cast in an important role.[40] He would make a return to Tamil cinema after Satyam (2008).[41]Sandy, during an event in March 2024, announced his involvement in the film, reuniting with Lokesh after dance choreographing in Vikram and acting in Leo. However, he did not specify whether he would be dance choreographing or acting.[42]Fahadh Faasil was approached to play a prominent role, but declined due to scheduling conflicts.[43] In early December, Reba Monica John confirmed her participation.[44]Junior MGR later joined the cast, and shed 23 kg for his role.[45]
In October 2023, Lokesh stated that principal photography was intended to begin in March 2024.[46] However, in March, Lokesh stated that filming was delayed to June.[47] According to reports, the delay was due to a grand set being erected and not finished in time.[48] Rajinikanth later confirmed that it was scheduled to begin on 10 June in Chennai,[49] but failed to do so, reportedly due to pre-production delays.[50] Filming ultimately began with the first schedule on 5 July at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.[51][52] The schedule ended by 18 July.[53] Another schedule commenced in August at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The team shot mostly at Vizag Fishing Harbour during this schedule.[54] On 14 September, filming was halted due to a fire that erupted near the sets of the film from one of the containers at the harbour.[55]
An Onam celebration was held at the film's sets on 15 September, with the makers sharing a footage of the team dancing to "Manasilaayo" from Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan (2024).[56] During this schedule, footage of Nagarjuna was leaked to social media platforms. This led to Lokesh requesting people to not share the footage and he stated that two months of people's hardwork were ruined due to the leak.[57] The schedule ended in early October.[58] Following that, Rajinikanth took a hiatus from filming due to health issues. He was expected to resume filming on 16 October,[59] but instead did so a week later.[60] On 10 December, filming began at Jaipur, with Aamir Khan cast for a cameo appearance.[61]
The soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his fourth collaboration with Lokesh after Master, Vikram and Leo; fifth with Rajinikanth after Petta, Darbar (2020), Jailer and Vettaiyan (2024).[29] Lokesh revealed that the lyrics for the songs will be written by his assistant director Vishnu Edavan.[62] The audio rights were acquired by Sun Pictures's own company. "Coolie Disco" was the track featured on the teaser trailer that released on 22 April 2024.[63] It features a sample of "Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa", written by Muthulingam and composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Thanga Magan (1983), also starring Rajinikanth.[64][65] Another song, "Chikitu Vibe", was teased on 12 December 2024, Rajinikanth's birthday.[66]
The first look poster was released on 28 March 2024, without any pre-announcement.[67] The film's teaser trailer was released on 22 April, which revealed the film's title.[18]
Release
Theatrical
Coolie is being aimed to release worldwide in 2025 in standard and IMAX formats.[31][68] Apart from the original Tamil language, the film is also scheduled to release with dubbed versions in the Hindi, Telugu and Kannada-languages.[69]
Home media
The digital streaming rights were reportedly acquired by Amazon Prime Video and the satellite rights by Sun TV.[70]
Legal issues
A week after the teaser's release, Ilaiyaraaja sent a notice to the makers for using "Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa" in the teaser without his permission. Pointed as an offence under the Copyright Act of 1976, the composer demanded the makers to get proper permission or remove the track from the teaser.[71][72] Rajinikanth, when questioned about the issue, stated that it was only between Ilaiyaraaja and the film's producer, Kalanithi Maran.[73] However, according to critic Sathish Kumar, Ilaiyaraaja does not hold the copyright to the song as Echo, the record label of the song, had their entire catalogue acquired by Sony Music South who later sold this song's rights to Sun Pictures.[74] During a hearing in the Madras High Court in late April, the judge stated Ilaiyaraaja could not claim exclusive ownership over the song, as the lyrics were written by a different person.[75]
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