Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals it was harder to convince Nagarjuna Akkineni to play a negative role in 'Coolie': ‘You have to walk the right path…'
's much-awaited action entertainer Coolie is set to hit theatres worldwide on August 14. Director
recently opened up about the casting process for the film and how challenging it was to convince
to join the project.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Nagarjuna Akkineni was the tougher one to convince
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter,
revealed that it was actually more difficult to bring Tollywood star Nagarjuna on board than it was to sign Rajinikanth. 'Nagarjuna once asked me how I convinced Rajini sir for Coolie. That's when I told him that was easy for me—convincing you was harder,' Lokesh shared.
Samantha Akkineni's deleted tweet for 'father-in-law' Nagarjuna Akkineni grabs eyeballs of netizens
A bold role reversal for Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna is playing the main antagonist in the film—something he has never done before in his career.
'Nag sir is playing the antagonist in the film. He has never done it before. I could see sir enjoying himself because good characters have certain boundaries—you have to walk the right path. When it comes to a baddie, you can do whatever you want, breaking the barriers,' Lokesh added.
Lokesh also mentioned that Nagarjuna had some initial hesitation due to the character's use of foul language in the film. He has been trying to avoid such elements on screen throughout his four-decade-long career.
Nagarjuna is particularly eager to see how his family responds to this dramatic shift in his screen persona once the film is released.
About Coolie
Coolie is an action-packed Tamil film with Rajinikanth in the lead. Apart from Nagarjuna, the film also features Kannada actor Upendra Rao, actress Shruti Haasan, Malayalam actor
, and Sathyaraj in key roles. Pooja Hegde will appear in a special dance number, and Bollywood star Aamir Khan will make a cameo appearance in the film.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Lokesh confirmed that the official trailer for Coolie will be released on August 2. While he chose not to divulge much about the storyline, the director hinted at an intense, high-stakes drama.
Lokesh Kanagaraj is also preparing for his next film 'Kaithi 2', featuring Karthi, from the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Following that, he is set to collaborate with Aamir Khan for a superhero-themed film.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
DNA OTT release date: When and where to watch Atharvaa Murali starrer thriller online in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi
Tamil thriller DNA, starring Atharvaa Murali and Nimisha Sajayan, is set to premiere on JioHotstar on July 19. Directed by Nelson Venkatesan, the film follows a couple whose lives are upended after childbirth, when the wife suspects the baby isn't theirs. As the husband investigates, he uncovers a deeper criminal conspiracy. The suspense drama, originally released in theatres in June, will be available in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Suspense-Driven Story Direction and Performances Tamil thriller DNA, featuring Atharvaa Murali and Nimisha Sajayan, is set to make its OTT debut on JioHotstar on July 19. After a theatrical release in June that drew praise for its intense storyline and gripping performances, the film will now be available to stream in multiple Indian languages, including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Viewers can also access the film through OTTplay revolves around Anand and Divya, a newly married couple trying to rebuild their lives after a troubled past. Anand is recovering from personal loss and alcohol addiction, while Divya lives with Borderline Personality Disorder. Despite their emotional baggage, the two find solace in each other and prepare to welcome a their world turns upside down when Divya, after giving birth, insists that the newborn handed to her is not her own. While others around her suspect her mental health may be the reason behind her doubts, Anand chooses to believe her. What starts as a personal crisis soon unravels into a larger mystery involving child-swapping and a criminal network. Anand's search for the truth forms the spine of the narrative, taking viewers through emotional upheaval and escalating by Nelson Venkatesan, known for Farhana and Monster, DNA marks his return to the thriller genre. The film stands out not only for its emotional core but also for the way it blends psychological conflict with action and mystery. Atharvaa portrays Anand with conviction, bringing depth to a man torn between trauma and trust. Nimisha Sajayan delivers a layered performance as Divya, capturing the vulnerability and strength of a woman battling mental illness while clinging to her ensemble cast features Balaji Sakthivel, Ramesh Thilak, Viji Chandrasekar, Chetan, Riythvika KP, Subramanian Siva, Karunakaran, and Pasanga Sivakumar, with each character adding weight to the by Jayanthi Ambedkar, DNA also stands out for its musical diversity. With six composers—Ghibran Vaibodha, Sreekanth Hariharan, Sathya Prakash, Anal Akash, Praveen Saivi, and Sahi Siva—the film's soundtrack brings varied tonal elements to different parts of the story. Cinematographer Parthiban D.F.T lends the film a dark and immersive visual style, while editor Sabu Joseph VJ maintains the narrative pace and tension.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Meet Anupam Kher's first wife, married a director after him, had 2 failed marriages, now she is.., her name is…
Meet Anupam Kher's first wife, married a director after him, had 2 failed marriages, now she is.., her name is… In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, many stars come and go. But there is one celebrity whose talent, versatility, and longevity has resonated for years. One such tale is of an actor who has delivered over 500 films in his career. He has worked across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu industries, and today he is one of the most respected figures in Bollywood. Who is Anupam Kher's First Wife? The person that we are talking about is none other than the legendary Anupam Kher. Anupam Kher is known for his impeccable work as an actor and a director. Besides garnering major fame for his professional life, he has also been in the spotlight for his personal life. Anupam is married to actress and politician Kirron Kher. But before Kirron, Anupam was married to someone else. Her first wife was away from the world of the spotlight. How Did Anupam Kher and Her First Wife Meet? Long before Anupam became an actor, he was in love with his college girlfriend from the National School of Drama (NSD). They both got married soon after their graduation. However, unfortunately, their marriage couldn't sustain itself for long because of the difference in opinions and incompatibility, and the two got divorced. This woman was none other than Madhumalati Kapoor. Madhumalati is also a known name in Bollywood. After her separation from Anupam, Madhumalati focused on building her acting career and later married writer-director Ranjit Kapoor. Unfortunately, her second marriage also ended in divorce. Choosing not to remarry, Madhumalati has been single ever since. Madhumalati Work and More Despite the ups and downs in her personal life, Madhumalati's career was quite successful. Madhumalati is a natural actress. She went on to appear in several notable films, including Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, and most recently, Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva. Besides being active in industry, Madhumalati is also quite active on social media. She keeps posting about being deeply rooted in spirituality and inner peace. Madhumalati's journey speaks about strength, growth, and resilience.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Biju Sopanam hints at a comeback to 'Uppum Mulakum'? Actor shares a picture from 'location' with Alsabith and Shivani
Popular Malayalam sitcom Uppum Mulakum might be witnessing a major twist soon, as actor , who played the beloved character Balu, has sparked speculation about his return to the show. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The actor, who has been away from the series following a major controversy, recently posted a picture on social media that has left fans curious and hopeful. In the now-viral photo, Biju is seen posing with his on-screen family Alsabith, , Kaladevi, and child artist Nandootty. What grabbed even more attention was the caption: '#location'—a cryptic but strong hint that the picture might have been taken on the sets of the sitcom. Though no official confirmation has been made by the makers, the post has ignited widespread speculation that Biju might be gearing up for a comeback to the show. Biju Sopanam had earlier landed in a major controversy after a sexual assault complaint was filed against him and co-actor Sreekumar. The complaint, lodged by an actress from the show, alleged that one actor committed the assault while the other allegedly threatened her. Following the allegations, both Biju and Sreekumar stepped away from the series. Though Biju Sopanam remained silent initially, he later gave interviews denying the allegations and labeling them as false. The controversy also led to the absence of , who portrayed the beloved character Neelu, from the show. Now in its third season and having crossed over 2000 episodes, Uppum Mulakum continues to be a fan-favorite family sitcom despite facing several casting challenges. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The original narrative revolved around Balu and Neelu and their five children, capturing the humor and chaos of middle-class family life. With the original lead actors absent, the show shifted focus to the next generation of the Paramada family, including characters like Keshu, Shiva, Parukutty, and Lechu. However, fans have consistently expressed that the heart of the show felt incomplete without the presence of Biju and Nisha. Biju's recent post has revived hopes among loyal viewers that the core family might reunite on-screen, restoring the original charm of the show. While speculation continues, fans are eagerly waiting for an official update from the show's team.
