Superstar Rajinikanth recently opened up about his initial reservations regarding Mollywood actor Soubin Shahir’s casting in the much-anticipated film Coolie, slated for release on August 14. Speaking at a promotional event, he revealed that director Lokesh Kanagaraj had originally planned to bring Fahadh Faasil on board, but the actor’s unavailability led him to consider Soubin instead.“I asked Lokesh, ‘Who is Soubin? Which films has he acted in?’” Rajinikanth recalled. Lokesh mentioned Manjummel Boys, where Soubin had played a key role. “I still had doubts and even questioned whether he would suit the role because he was bald,” Rajinikanth admitted, adding that he ultimately stayed quiet because the director was confident in his choice.‘Blown away’ by the performanceRajinikanth shared that Lokesh scheduled him to join the set only on the third day of filming, focusing initially on Soubin’s portions. When he arrived, Lokesh showed him the actor’s scenes. “I was blown away,” the superstar said, praising Soubin’s portrayal.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie boasts a stellar ensemble including Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Aamir Khan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Shruti Haasan. Industry buzz suggests the action entertainer could release in over 100 countries, making it one of the biggest Indian film launches of 2025.It’s also worth noting that Lokesh recently visited the Shiva temple in Tiruvannamalai to offer prayers ahead of the film’s release, adding a spiritual note to the grand build-up.