Veteran thespian Nagarjuna Akkineni has formally confirmed that he will be playing an abusive character in Rajinikanth’s upcoming titled Coolie directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. This news has added more excitement to the already anticipated action drama that is preponed for grand opening on August 14, 2025, on the Independence Day weekend holiday.
A Bold Move by Nagarjuna
During the promotion of his upcoming release Kuberaa, Nagarjuna freely discussed his role in Coolie. When questioned about whether he would portray the image of a villain, he himself agreed to the news.
“Lokesh Kanagaraj came to me personally and asked me if I would agree to act in a negative role,” Nagarjuna revealed. “I requested him to read me the script. I don’t mind acting as the villain if the storyline demands it.“
He then continued to say that he was completely hooked halfway through the reading. In six or seven rounds of dialogue, he nods to the project, one of the only times in his career in which he takes on a full-fledged negative role.
Early Speculation About His Role
Since the time Coolie was announced, there had been plenty of speculation regarding Nagarjuna’s part. Although many fans had anticipated that he would be a villain, some others believed that he might enter as a fierce supporting role with grey shades, but not necessarily a villainous one—especially for a film of another such star like Rajinikanth.
Despite that, his confirmation confirms things and goes on to prove Nagarjuna’s inclination towards undertaking tough and unconventional roles, a situation not very prevalent in mainstream South Indian cinema, especially for veteran heroes.
Rajinikanth Impressed with Coolie’s Progress
It was recently revealed in another exciting update that Rajinikanth had seen the first half of Coolie and was highly impressed. The sources from the team stated that he appreciated Lokesh Kanagaraj’s vision and the intensity of the narrative.
Rajinikanth’s reaction is being taken as a positive signal for the industry, considering how selective the superstar is when it comes to content and direction.
An Ensemble Cast Supported by a Visionary Director
Coolie is being made by Sun Pictures, a banner known for making big-budget commercial entertainers. The movie boasts a star-studded cast, which includes:
Rajinikanth
Nagarjuna
Shruti Haasan
Sathyaraj
Upendra
Soubin Shahir
Kaali Venkat
Fueling the anticipation over the film is the fact that Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan will also have an important cameo, further cementing the pan-India appeal of the film.
Why Nagarjuna’s Antagonist Role is a Big Deal
Nagarjuna has carved out a reputation as romantic heroes, spiritual gurus, and action heroes. Playing the role of a villain in a movie with another hero is a brave and welcome departure. Not only does it reflect the actor’s versatility, but the self-confidence as well.
This kind of collaboration between top stars is a phenomenon that does not happen very often, and Nagarjuna opting to play a darker character sends a strong message—content overcomes screen pull.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Mark of Genius
Lokesh Kanagaraj has already established himself as a director with movies like Kaithi, Master, and Vikram. His films are loved for:
Hectic, action-packed storytelling
Complex characters
Ensemble cast that gives importance to every character
Given his track record, fans are expecting Nagarjuna’s negative role to be intelligent, authoritative, and impactful, not a run-of-the-mill one.
What This Does for Coolie’s Box Office Prospects
Having Nagarjuna in a negative persona significantly adds to the commercial value of the movie, especially in Telugu-speaking states. With pan-India release and a well-settled cast, Coolie is already set to become a humongous Independence Day weekend grosser.
Upcoming discussions and distribution interest for Coolie are already creating ripples among trade circles, with overseas and domestic theatrical rights fetching record-breaking deals.
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Conclusion: A Bold Move That May Set a New Trend
Nagarjuna’s confirmation of his negative role in Coolie not only generates excitement for the movie but also demonstrates a mature, content-driven strategy in modern South Indian cinema.
As more performers escape the “hero-only” straitjacket, this step can inspire other veterans to take on braver and riskier roles.
Helmed by a mastermind like Lokesh and featuring Rajinikanth, Coolie now guarantees fireworks not only at the box office but also solid acting and surprise elements.
Back soon as Coolie nears its worldwide release date of August 14, 2025.
