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Nagarjuna Talks About Working on Lokesh Kanagaraj`s Coolie Alongside Rajinikanth
Updated on: 17 June, 2025 05:34 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Nagarjuna as Simon in Coolie
The excitement for Lokesh Kanagaraj`s upcoming action entertainer, Coolie, has reached a fever pitch, especially with the powerhouse casting of Telugu superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni as the main antagonist against the legendary Rajinikanth. In a recent interview, Nagarjuna opened up about his thrilling experience playing a villain and what drew him to this highly anticipated project.
The script narration left a powerful impact on the actor. "Lokesh narrated the script, and halfway through, I was hooked," he admitted. So much so, that Nagarjuna found himself wanting to delve deeper into the character. "I made him come back 6-7 times to listen to it," he revealed, showcasing his enthusiasm for the role.
When asked to describe his time filming Coolie, Nagarjuna summed it up in one word: "liberating." He contrasted the role with his character in the upcoming film `Kuberaa`, explaining, "Deepak has to be a certain way all the time... But, in Coolie, all of that flew out of the window."
This newfound freedom allowed for a unique portrayal of villainy. "Everyone said I made for a very charming villain. Lokesh has presented me that way," Nagarjuna stated. He recounted asking the director if his unrestrained performance was what he envisioned, to which Lokesh humorously replied, "Yes sir, people are very evil!"
Also Read: Coolie Teaser: Rajinikanth’s Thalaivar 171 Gets a New Name With a Thrilling Teaser
Before Coolie hits the screens, Nagarjuna will be seen in the social thriller `Kuberaa` alongside Dhanush and Rashmika Mandanna. While fans eagerly await his villainous turn, reports also suggest a possible role in `Jailer 2`, though an official confirmation remains pending. For now, all eyes are on his menacing yet charming avatar as Simon in Coolie.
The Allure of the Antagonist
In a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Nagarjuna recalled his first meeting with director Lokesh Kanagaraj. He revealed that the filmmaker`s directness was what initially piqued his interest. "I don`t know what made Lokesh come to me, but the first question he asked me was, `Do you mind playing an antagonist?`" Nagarjuna shared. He was quick to tell the director, "Tell me the script, and I will think about it. I am not against it."The script narration left a powerful impact on the actor. "Lokesh narrated the script, and halfway through, I was hooked," he admitted. So much so, that Nagarjuna found himself wanting to delve deeper into the character. "I made him come back 6-7 times to listen to it," he revealed, showcasing his enthusiasm for the role.
When asked to describe his time filming Coolie, Nagarjuna summed it up in one word: "liberating." He contrasted the role with his character in the upcoming film `Kuberaa`, explaining, "Deepak has to be a certain way all the time... But, in Coolie, all of that flew out of the window."
This newfound freedom allowed for a unique portrayal of villainy. "Everyone said I made for a very charming villain. Lokesh has presented me that way," Nagarjuna stated. He recounted asking the director if his unrestrained performance was what he envisioned, to which Lokesh humorously replied, "Yes sir, people are very evil!"
Also Read: Coolie Teaser: Rajinikanth’s Thalaivar 171 Gets a New Name With a Thrilling Teaser
More on Coolie and What`s Next
Coolie, produced by Sun Pictures with music by Anirudh Ravichander, boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra Rao, and Sathyaraj. Set for an August 14 release, the film is poised for a major box office clash with `War 2`.Before Coolie hits the screens, Nagarjuna will be seen in the social thriller `Kuberaa` alongside Dhanush and Rashmika Mandanna. While fans eagerly await his villainous turn, reports also suggest a possible role in `Jailer 2`, though an official confirmation remains pending. For now, all eyes are on his menacing yet charming avatar as Simon in Coolie.
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