The highly anticipated Tamil film Coolie, starring Rajinikanth and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, premiered in theatres on Aug 14. In Singapore, the film’s release turned into a full-blown festive occasion for hardcore fans.
Mr Madwa Prasath, managing director of Farmer Constructions and Farmer Trader, bought tickets for 12 Tamil employees and gave them time off from work together with an S$30 F&B allowance to watch the movie on its release day.
“I am an avid fan of Thalaivar (Rajinikanth), and it’s a form of welfare and stress management for my workers. They come here, leaving their family and friends behind. They need some happiness, and I am very sure they will work with even more motivation after this,” he said.
Members of the well-known local Rajini fan club Anbu Samrajiyam, which means “Kingdom of Love” in Tamil, turned up en masse to catch Coolie’s first-day-first-show (FDFS) at Carnival Cinemas in Golden Mile Tower.
They arrived an hour before the 6.35 am screening, wearing Coolie-themed t-shirts and copper-plated armbands similar to those worn by the movie’s protagonist. To celebrate their idol’s 50-year career in the Tamil film industry, the fan club had also installed a life-sized cut-out of Rajinikanth in the lobby of Carnival Cinemas the day before. Just prior to the premiere, they adorned it with fresh flower garlands and offered prayers.
One member, Mr Koushik Karthikeyan, also brought a 2.1m-by-1.8m collage of Rajinikanth photos that he had put together 13 years ago. Before the start of the film, a fan-made slideshow was displayed on the silver screen, including a snapshot of Mr Koushik’s photo collage and other fans’ tributes to Rajinikanth.
“We spent two weeks preparing for this celebration. For us, a Rajini movie release is nothing short of a festival,” he said.
Many fans booked tickets in bulk and arrived in large groups, filling the cinema hall with music and cheers. Each of Rajinikanth’s trademark gestures in the movie was a cause for the audience to erupt in enthusiasm.
The film is about a former coolie, or low-wage labourer, who seeks revenge for the death of his close friend. It features a star-studded cast including Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj.
“Soubin delivered a standout performance, and Nagarjuna played a formidable villain who made Rajini’s heroism shine,” Mr Koushik noted. Despite the nearly three-hour runtime, the film still kept audiences engaged, with many highlighting the interval block and climax as standout moments.
“The interval block and the climax turned out even better than I imagined,” said Mr Santhosh, a devoted fan, who had also purchased a ticket for the next screening at 11am to watch the movie again.
“Rajini has once again proven he’s a true superstar,” said Ms Gayathri, a teacher, adding that he “looks and feels exactly like he did 50 years ago.”
Sara travelled from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, with 20 friends for his first FDFS in Singapore. “The vibe here is just as electric. Rajini fans are the same everywhere,” he said. Ms Preethi, watching her first FDFS with her husband, Mr Pradeep, said, “It truly feels like a pan-Indian film where every star had a strong character arc.”
With packed theatres and fans planning repeat viewings, Coolie proves Rajinikanth’s continued stardom, even after five decades.
