Cut outs of Rajinikanth and Upendra from ‘Coolie’.
| Photo Credit: Sun Pictures/YouTube
When Upendra was roped in for Rajinikanth’s Coolie, expectations around his character were sky high. In multiple interviews, director Lokesh Kanagaraj had confessed to being a fan of the maverick actor-filmmaker. Now that Coolie is out in theatres, has Lokesh and team done justice to Upendra’s presence? Does Upendra’s cameo in the multi-starrer make an impact?
When the trailer for Coolie was out, Upendra appeared in a retro avatar. His role was kept as a mystery, but the actor seemed to be playing a member from the labourers union, headed by Deva, the role essayed by Rajinikanth. It was assumed that he plays Rajinikanth’s close aid in the movie. What stood out in the trailer was one shot of the trademark ferocious movement of the eyes of Upendra. The scene reminded people of Upendra’s cult hit Upendra (1999), a psychological thriller drama.
After the completion of the first few shows of Coolie, what’s the buzz around Upendra’s character among the Kannada audience? Going by the initial response, people are impressed with the actor’s stylish appearance in the movie. At 56, Upendra still maintains the charm.
The idea of cameos from neighbouring industries in a Rajinikanth movie worked well in Jailer, Nelson’s 2023 blockbuster. Morever, Shivarajkumar’s memorable cameo in Jailer, which earned him fans across the country, made Upendra’s casting appear like a fascinating decision.
However, fans are divided over his character development in Coolie. Upendra is known for his eccentricities on screen. His characters come with a delightful unpredictability. Lokesh and his writers have failed to cash in on his trademark idiosyncrasy of the actor. It remains to be seen if his character, named Kaleesha, will be talked about in the coming days.
People’s disappointment might also be stemming from the fact that the teaming up of Lokesh and Upendra felt like an ideal development. Upendra is known for his raw treatment of his characters and he rose to fame with intense violent dramas such as A (1998), Upendra and Om (1995). Lokesh is also known for his love for the violent genre. Also, as mentioned by Rajinikanth in his speech during the audio launch of Coolie, Upendra is a master of experimenting the narrative structure of a film, a quality seen in Lokesh as well.
Does Upendra get enough screen time in a movie also starring Nagarjuna, Shoubin Shahir, Sathyaraj and Shruti Haasan? Does he have memorable portions with Rajinikanth? Watch Coolie to find out but for fans of Upendra, it will help if their expectations are in check.
Published – August 14, 2025 04:20 pm IST
