Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie was released in theaters on August 14, 2025. Despite being a successful venture at the box office, the film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, with former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin reacting to the reaction.
Ravichandran Ashwin speaks out against Gen-Z audience for criticizing Rajinikanth’s Coolie
Speaking to Galata Plus, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “There were a lot of opinions from Gen Z audiences on social media that Coolie was not a good film. I object to that opinion. When it came to OTT I watched it. I watched the film in one go without any distractions, and that’s my criteria for watching any film on OTT. I didn’t find many faults in Coolie. After watching it, I asked myself if “I’ve let my opinions be influenced by online comments.”
Ashwin said that although film critics may be able to point out flaws in the film, as an audience member, he failed to notice the issues to the extent suggested by the negative reviews of Coolie. Notably, the former cricketer has been vocal about his admiration for the superstar on several occasions.
For those unaware, the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial received a lot of criticism when it released a few months ago. Many comments were made on the plot holes left unanswered in the narrative, as well as criticism of the forced inclusion of some characters.
More information about Coolie
Coolie, starring Rajinikanth in the lead, is the story of Devraj, a former laborer who lives in solitude while running a men’s hostel. Upon learning that his best friend and brother-in-law has passed away, he attends the funeral and uncovers a larger conspiracy going on around him.
As he dives deeper, Deva comes across a smuggling syndicate with whom he shares a chilling past. The film shows how a former laborer takes revenge on his friend.
Apart from the superstar, the film stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra Rao, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj and many others in lead roles. Actors Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde also make guest appearances in the film.
Rajinikanth’s next film
Rajinikanth will next be seen in the action-comedy film Jailer 2, the sequel to the 2023 hit Jailer. The film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, is expected to release in mid-2026.
Also read: 5 Telugu OTT releases to watch this week: From Priyadarshi Pullikonda, Anandi’s Premante to Varun Sandesh’s Nayanam
