Coolie Unleashed: The speech, the energy, and all that happened at the audio and trailer launch

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai turned into a pulsating celebration of stardom, nostalgia, and cinematic energy, as Coolie Unleashed, the grand audio and trailer launch of Tamil cinema’s most anticipated film, lit up the city on August 2nd. The atmosphere was electric as fans, celebrities, and industry stalwarts gathered under one roof to honour not just a film, but a phenomenon – Superstar Rajinikanth.

Shruti Haasan, one of the leading stars of Coolie, received an overwhelming response as she spoke about her role in the film and her admiration for her co-stars. She described the character of Preethi, daughter to Sathyaraj’s role in the film, as one of the most special she’s ever played. Her gratitude extended to director Lokesh Kanagaraj for entrusting her with such a layered character, and to Rajinikanth himself, whose presence, she admitted, was enough to ignite the crowd. She didn’t miss the opportunity to praise her co-actors either, highlighting Upendra’s magnetic screen presence, Soubin Shahir’s raw talent, Nagarjuna’s timeless charm, and the honour of working alongside Aamir Khan. She also took this grand stage to thank the director for giving her dad (Kamal Haasan), the ATBB Vikram.

Music director Anirudh Ravichander brought a wave of passion to the evening, calling Coolie one of the smartest and most well-written projects he’s been a part of. He spoke about the emotional high of composing music for a film that paired Rajinikanth with Lokesh Kanagaraj – two names that, in his words, represent peak cinematic energy. Anirudh also hinted at the film’s intense musical tone, teasing that Coolie would be nothing short of explosive, even joking that he was saying aloud on stage what he usually reserved for his tweets before release: the film is ten cups of fire and ready for fierce competition.

Veteran actors took turns saluting the legend at the center of it all. Upendra, representing the Kannada industry, remarked that whether it’s Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood, or Sandalwood, everyone eagerly watches Rajinikanth’s first-day-first-show. Nagarjuna, who plays a pivotal role in Coolie, added that the film was on a scale equivalent to a hundred Baashas, reiterating that there’s only one original Superstar, Rajinikanth.

Sathyaraj, never one to shy away from wit, praised Rajinikanth’s style as something that transcends even sleep. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan confessed that he accepted the role without reading the script, negotiating fees, or checking the shooting schedule – he simply said yes out of pure admiration for Rajinikanth, whose smile, energy, and presence he described as unforgettable.

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s speech added a deeply personal layer to the night. Emotionally charged, he reflected on the two years he spent making Coolie, calling it a transformative period filled with wisdom and personal milestones. He shared how the film’s release in August coincides with the 50th anniversary of Rajinikanth’s cinematic journey, a milestone he believes is more than mere timing – it’s destiny. Lokesh revealed that his father, a bus conductor, once had the badge number 1421 – a detail he used for Rajinikanth’s character in the film as a tribute to his father’s memory. He credited Soubin Shahir as a revelation who would grab headlines post-release, praised Shruti Haasan for her unwavering support throughout the project, and applauded Upendra’s dedication during patch shoots. Getting Nagarjuna onboard was initially challenging, he said, but once he signed on, his presence elevated the film. Working with Aamir Khan, he added, was a lifelong dream fulfilled. He also acknowledged his deep bond with Anirudh, calling him a brother and crediting him as a major reason for Coolie even happening.

Producer Kalanithi Maran, delivered a hard-hitting speech that underlined Rajinikanth’s unique status in the Indian film industry. According to Maran, no matter how many stars have come and gone in the last 50 years, only one has remained consistently at the top – Rajinikanth. He confidently declared that while Jailer made records, Coolie would break them. Maran added that Rajinikanth’s influence extended far beyond cinema, saying that if the Superstar were to call any Chief Minister or even the Prime Minister, they would pick up without hesitation, a testament to his rare and real-life stardom. He also used the moment to take a swipe at the current generation of actors, noting that many of them walk around with inflated egos, while Rajinikanth remains grounded, humble, and eternally revered.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for – Superstar Rajinikanth took the stage, and the stadium erupted. What followed was a speech that was quintessentially Rajini: humorous, reflective, emotional, and inspiring. He spoke about a poignant incident from his past, when he worked as an actual coolie and was once tipped just ₹2 by a stranger – who turned out to be someone he had bullied during his school days. That moment, he said, made him cry for the first time in his life. He brought the house down with his joke about being a 1950s model with several replaced body parts, asking choreographer Sandy Master to go easy on the dance moves.

Rajinikanth’s admiration for Anirudh was unfiltered, calling him India’s first true rockstar and South Asia’s most eligible bachelor. He playfully teased Nagarjuna, marveling at his glowing skin and youthful appearance, joking that he had lost his own hair while Nagarjuna seemed to only get better with age. He praised Lokesh Kanagaraj’s honesty, recounting how Lokesh admitted to being a Kamal Haasan fan during the narration – a moment that made him chuckle but also convinced him of the director’s sincerity and intelligence. He commented on his avoidance of interviews in recent years, poking fun at the long runtime of Lokesh’s interview by mimicking a sleep cycle: sitting, standing, lying down, and waking up – all while the interview continued.

He left the audience with thoughts on trust, saying that people who speak their minds, even if it hurts, are the ones you can trust, so is Sathyaraj, the star added. As for Coolie itself, he described it as a full-on commercial entertainer that has humour, emotion, and mass elevation, and firmly declared that Lokesh Kanagaraj is the real hero of the film. Ending his speech with humility, Rajinikanth looked back at the chain gifted by a friend, which first led him to acting. From a bus conductor to the biggest star in Indian cinema, he said it’s all been a blessing –  a life shaped by destiny and the love of the people.

By the end of the night, Coolie Unleashed had done more than unveil a film, it reminded everyone of the magic that only a Rajinikanth-led event can conjure. The combination of personal stories, powerful performances, cross-industry unity, and Rajinikanth’s irresistible charisma turned the launch into an unforgettable celebration. As the trailer took social media by storm and fans around the world braced for the film’s release, one thing became clear: Coolie isn’t just another movie. It’s a cultural event. A tribute to legacy. And, most importantly, a cinematic storm waiting to explode at the box office.

With the songs and trailer now unveiled, this highly anticipated film is all set to storm theatres worldwide with a thunderous release on August 14th.

Click here to watch the Coolie trailer and read the full review.

Click here to listen to the Coolie songs and explore the detailed review.