The pre-release event of Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie was held in Hyderabad with grandeur and enthusiasm. Speaking at the event, actor Nagarjuna, who plays a key role in the movie, shared several interesting insights about the film and his experience working with director Lokesh Kanagaraj and superstar Rajinikanth.
Nagarjuna began by recalling his career choices: “I did Annamayya right after Ninne Pelladatha. I’ve always enjoyed trying something new. Sometimes, I’ve taken hits, but I keep learning. When Lokesh approached me for a villain role, I was intrigued.”
He praised Lokesh Kanagaraj, calling him “very cool” and persistent: “Even when I was unsure, he kept trying. When he narrated the story, I immediately asked if Rajinikanth had approved it, because the role felt like a lead character. That’s how strong and new the role was.”
Nagarjuna revealed that he listened to the script multiple times, even recording Lokesh’s narration to reflect on it later.“He told me the story at least 6 or 7 times. I gave him a few suggestions, and he took them very sportingly. Eventually, he crafted a fantastic version of the script.”
Talking about the shoot, he said, “We shot a key scene on the second day, and unfortunately, it got leaked. I was disappointed. But Lokesh said, ‘You’ve nailed it!’ That gave me confidence.”
Nagarjuna shared his admiration for Rajinikanth’s simplicity and dedication:
“Rajini sir still rehearses scenes with passion, especially the climax. We shot for 17 days on a ship. At the end, he handed out gift packets to 300 crew members, asking them to take something home for their children. That’s the greatness of Rajinikanth.”
He also spoke about the experience of working with the rest of the cast:
“It’s always a pleasure working with Sathyaraj garu. People say I’m fit, but you should see him! Shruti has been amazing, and Shobhin’s performance in the ‘Monica’ song had us all laughing.”
On a lighter note, Nagarjuna joked: “Rajini sir once said—if he had seen how I’d be in this film, he would’ve said no to casting me!”
He concluded by saying that playing a villain in Coolie has been a refreshing experience and one of the most exciting phases of his career.
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