As Coolie’s release is imminent, the frenzy around the movie has gone through the roof, particularly following the action-packed teaser that hit the screens in Chennai last week. Written by director Lokesh Kanagaraj and toplining Rajinikanth, the movie has already become one of the most heavily awaited releases of the year. Along with the excitement, however, a sudden spate of fan theories has emerged as well, several speculating that Coolie could be a sci-fi or time-travel film.
So what’s really going on with Coolie? Is it just a gritty action film, or is there more than meets the eye?
The Trailer That Began It All
The trailer, which premiered at a huge function in Chennai with the star cast, such as Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, and Shruti Haasan, created a social media frenzy. Apart from the great action and smuggling suspense, one single shot in it drove fans into a frenzy: a series with Rajinikanth’s young face reversing into a photonegative transformation.
To others, the picture appeared to be a deliberate sci-fi reference, prompting people to wonder if perhaps the film might involve time travel or parallel worlds. Shortly, theories began inundating the web, with #CoolieTimeTravel being a trending hashtag on X and Reddit forums deconstructing each frame.
Lokesh Kanagaraj Breaks His Silence
During a recent pre-release function, Lokesh Kanagaraj was questioned regarding the viral speculations on the genre of the film. His response, while measured, only added to the intrigue.
“I’ve seen all the fan theories online, and honestly, even I’m surprised,” he said with a smile. “I was just discussing with Sathyaraj sir how everyone thinks this is a time travel or sci-fi film. I’m genuinely excited to see how people react when they find out what the film actually is.”
His response didn’t deny the theories, but it didn’t confirm them either. That ambiguity has only fueled further speculation, and fans are now more curious than ever.
What We Know So Far
Formally, Coolie is marketed as an action drama of high voltage. Rajinikanth features as Deva, an aging smuggler who is planning a dramatic comeback by putting his old gang together to hijack the underworld operations. Based in the dark realities of crime, the trailer depicts high-voltage confrontations, stylized action, and gritty violence.
The movie boasts a huge star cast comprising Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Upendra, and Soubin Shahir. Anirudh Ravichander’s music for the movie is guaranteed to make the tone and pace of the movie better.
It’s also worth noting that Coolie is not set within the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU)—Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo. Being separate from it allows Lokesh more freedom to experiment with fresh themes and genres, which may include, as some theorize, science fiction.
Piling on the intensity, the film has been issued an ‘A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification, hinting at mature material perhaps based on violence, language, or dark subjects.
Are the Theories Really That Far-Fetched?
Lokesh Kanagaraj is a director who relishes genre blending and subverting expectations. From the crime-infested neo-noir world of Kaithi to the mythological undertones of Leo, he tends to weave surprises into his stories. Given this pattern, it’s not entirely outlandish to think that Coolie might explore sci-fi territory, even if only subtly.
That photonegative shot, combined with cryptic trailer transitions and younger versions of characters, has left enough ambiguity for fans to interpret freely. Whether they are original visual metaphors or suggestions of something profound, only time will tell.
The Big Clash: Coolie vs. War 2
Adding to the buzz, Coolie is coming to cinemas on August 14, just before Independence Day. But it won’t be a lone trip to box office success. Coolie will have to contend with serious competition from War 2, which is being made by Ayan Mukerji and featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
Both movies have huge expectations, and their direct confrontation might be among the most anticipated box office showdowns of 2025.
Final Thoughts
Whether Coolie does head into science fiction or time travel, this much can be guaranteed. Lokesh Kanagaraj has woven a movie that has already got fans imagineering long before its arrival. Rajinikanth’s charismatic screen presence, the all-star cast, and Lokesh’s trademark style guarantee a movie experience that will not be forgotten.
Coolie could be a grounded action drama, or it might just surprise everyone with something far more experimental. Either way, all eyes are on August 14.