Superstar Rajinikanth’s latest action film Coolie is set to begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video on September 11, 2025. The movie will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. This digital release comes less than one month after the film’s theatrical debut on August 14, a surprisingly short window that has generated significant discussion among fans and industry observers.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie features Rajinikanth in the role of Deva, a former coolie union leader who investigates the mysterious death of his friend. The film includes high-energy action sequences and an ensemble cast. Nagarjuna plays the main antagonist Simon, with Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, and Upendra in key supporting roles. Bollywood star Aamir Khan and actress Pooja Hegde also make special appearances.
Box Office Performance and Mixed Reviews
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, Coolie achieved major commercial success. It broke multiple box office records and became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025. The film earned approximately ₹282.46 crore net domestically and ₹176.65 crore overseas, bringing its worldwide gross to an impressive ₹510 crore. This makes it the third highest-grossing Indian film of the year and the fourth highest-grossing Tamil film in history.
Some critics expressed disappointment with the film’s writing and execution, noting that it did not meet the high expectations set by Lokesh Kanagaraj’s previous works like Vikram and Kaithi. However, audiences generally praised Rajinikanth’s powerful performance and the film’s mass appeal. The movie holds a rating of 7.8 out of 10 on IMDb.
Digital Rights and Streaming Details
Amazon Prime Video acquired the digital streaming rights for Coolie in a deal valued at around ₹120 crore. This represents one of the largest digital agreements in the Tamil film industry. The platform confirmed the September 11 release date through a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Get ready to vibe with the saga of Deva, Simon, and Dahaa #CoolieOnPrime, Sep 11.”
The film will not include its Hindi dubbed version in this initial streaming release. Reports indicate the Hindi version will arrive on Prime Video eight weeks after its theatrical debut, following a separate agreement with multiplex chains. This has prompted some questions from fans who expected all language versions to release simultaneously.
Story and Background
Coolie is set against the backdrop of the Visakhapatnam docks, where smuggler Simon Xavier operates a gold and luxury watch trafficking ring. The story begins when an undercover police officer is murdered while posing as a coolie. Meanwhile, in Chennai, Rajinikanth’s character Devaraj investigates the sudden death of his friend Rajasekhar, officially labeled a heart attack but suspected to be murder.
Deva’s investigation leads him into Simon’s dangerous criminal organization, where he discovers a sinister invention—an electric chair designed to dispose of bodies—and a heart-trafficking ring. The plot thickens as hidden identities and betrayals surface, connecting Deva and Simon through their pasts. The narrative combines action with emotional elements as Deva fights for justice while confronting personal demons.
Production and Music
Produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner, Coolie was made on a large scale with significant technical resources. The film marks Rajinikanth’s 171st project as a lead actor and celebrates his 50-year career in cinema. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music and background score, which has been well-received for enhancing the film’s tension and dramatic moments.
Girish Gangadharan served as the cinematographer, capturing both the gritty dockyard settings and the emotional character moments. The screenplay was co-written by Lokesh Kanagaraj and Chandhru Anbazhagan. While the film is not part of Lokesh’s connected cinematic universe that includes Vikram and Kaithi, it maintains his signature style of blending raw action with storytelling.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
The announcement of Coolie’s early OTT release has generated mixed reactions from fans. Some expressed surprise at the short gap between theatrical and digital release, while others questioned whether it indicated disappointing box office performance despite its strong financial results. One fan commented on social media:
“Just one month after the release! Is Coolie an average or flop movie?”
Another fan noted:
“Bro I thought there was an 8 week agreement before OTT release and that’s why multiplexes across India released it in Hindi too.”
Many fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch the film from home, particularly those who missed it in theaters. The digital release is expected to reach a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories where Amazon Prime Video is available. This accessibility will likely introduce Rajinikanth’s work to new viewers worldwide.
The film’s OTT debut follows other major September releases on various platforms, including Kannada films Ekka and Su From So on ZEE5 and JioHotstar respectively. However, Coolie remains one of the most anticipated digital releases of the month due to its star power and box office success. As the film transitions from big screens to streaming, it carries with it the energy and spectacle that made it a theatrical blockbuster.
Also Read: Rajinikanth As Deva in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie; Meet the 6 Main Characters from the Film
