Tollywood’s King Nagarjuna is set to surprise audiences with a bold new choice—playing the villain in Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie. This unexpected turn in his career was revealed some time ago during an interview with film critic Anupama Chopra, where Nagarjuna confirmed he would appear as the antagonist in the pan-India action drama.
Known for his unique style and willingness to support fresh talent, Nagarjuna has long been a trend-setter in Telugu cinema. He introduced directors like Ram Gopal Varma and backed iconic films such as Shiva, earning a reputation as a “celluloid scientist” for his cinematic experiments.
However, over the past few years, Nagarjuna has faced a string of box office disappointments, while contemporaries like Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna delivered major hits. Rather than limit himself to heroic roles, Nagarjuna has now chosen to explore strong, character-driven parts—even if they are negative.
His recent film Kubera was a box office success and marked a turning point. Now, in Coolie, which releases on 14 August, he plays King Simon, a powerful don and the main villain. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj revealed he narrated the role to Nagarjuna eight times before getting a ‘yes’. Both he and Rajinikanth reportedly waited four months for Nagarjuna’s approval.
The role is unlike anything Nagarjuna has done in his 40-year career. He had doubts about whether audiences would accept him in such a dark character, especially with the intense dialogues and expressions involved. But early buzz suggests he may steal the show.
If Coolie becomes a blockbuster, King Nagarjuna could once again redefine his career and set a new trend in Indian cinema.