Rajinikanth Told Me ‘Coolie Looked Like Thalapathi’: Lokesh Kanagaraj

In a recent interview, director Lokesh Kanagaraj shared a moment during the dubbing of Coolie that left a lasting impression on him. The film is currently in post-production, with the trailer confirmed to release on August 2.

When the promo video was first released, fans immediately pointed out the visual similarity between Rajinikanth’s silhouette against the sunset and a memorable frame from Thalapathi (1991), directed by Mani Ratnam. Lokesh embraced the comparison.

“Thalapathi is my favourite film in Rajinikanth sir’s career,” he said. “I’ve always admired the emotional balance in that story. While writing Coolie, I tried to capture something in that space.”

He recalled the moment Rajinikanth himself made the connection. “After watching Coolie in the dubbing studio, Rajini sir hugged me and said, ‘It looked like Thalapathi for me.’ That one line stayed with me,” Lokesh said.

He clarified that he never tried to match Mani Ratnam’s writing but aimed to reflect a similar emotional tone. “Hearing those words from him felt like a small personal victory,” he added.

Coolie marks Lokesh’s first collaboration with Rajinikanth and is expected to blend high-octane action with character-driven storytelling.