Rajinikanth’s character name revealed in new Coolie poster: A nostalgic tribute

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj has revealed a new poster for his upcoming film Coolie, offering fans a new glimpse of Superstar Rajinikanth's dynamic look. The poster introduces Rajinikanth's character, named Deva.

In the striking poster, Rajinikanth is seen pensively examining his arm badge, which reads "1421." While it's unclear if this badge number holds any specific connection to Rajinikanth's past films, Lokesh Kanagaraj is known for weaving in references to classic movies, much to the delight of fans. This technique, which began with Master and was further refined in Kamal Haasan’s Vikram and Leo, appears to be a key element in Coolie as well.

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As Lokesh unveils the main characters of Coolie, their names seem to serve as nostalgic callbacks to iconic characters from Tamil cinema. Notably, the name Deva echoes the character played by Mammootty in Mani Ratnam’s classic Thalapathi, a film in which Rajinikanth immortalized the name, particularly during his unforgettable scenes of avenging his best friend's death.

In addition to these references, Lokesh has brought composer Anirudh Ravichander on board to remix the classic song "Va Va Pakkam Va" from the 1983 film Thanga Magan. The song titled DISCO is already a big hit with the fans. With these nostalgic elements, Lokesh seems intent on capturing the magic of Rajinikanth's on-screen charisma while paying homage to his storied career.

Coolie marks Lokesh Kanagaraj’s first collaboration with Rajinikanth, and the film is currently being shot at a rapid pace in Hyderabad. The earlier released teaser hints at a storyline centered around the smuggling business, set against the backdrop of a seaport. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Upendra, Sathyaraj, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, and Shruti Haasan.

Fans can expect Coolie to hit theaters next year. 

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