At the grand Telugu press meet for Coolie, the spotlight was firmly on Akkineni Nagarjuna, who plays the antagonist in the film. A video message from Superstar Rajinikanth, in which he praised Nagarjuna’s performance, was screened at the event and quickly went viral. Nagarjuna warmly thanked Rajinikanth for his generous words.
Sharing his journey with the film, Nagarjuna revealed that director Lokesh Kanagaraj approached him with the firm belief that he was the right choice for the antagonist role. After an in-depth narration, Nagarjuna offered suggestions to strengthen the character, which Lokesh accepted with openness. The two collaborated closely, with multiple meetings, before locking the final version.
Nagarjuna praised Lokesh’s vision and work ethic, calling it rare and admirable. He noted that during the final schedule in Bangkok, Lokesh completed the shoot with Rs. 5 crore still left in the budget, a testament to his planning, despite Sun Pictures being ready to spend much more. He also commended the director’s filmmaking style, particularly his use of six cameras.
Reflecting on his experience with Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna expressed deep respect, calling him supportive and hardworking. He appreciated Rajinikanth’s humility and dedication on set, saying, “Even now, he works hard to give his best for the role.” Nagarjuna concluded by expressing his gratitude to the team and his hope that Coolie will stand out as a significant film for everyone involved.