Chennai, India – Superstar Rajinikanth recently lauded his Coolie co-star, Akkineni Nagarjuna, for his remarkable fitness and youthful appearance at 65, while humorously lamenting his own hair loss at 74. The comments were made in a promotional video for their upcoming film, Coolie, which is set to release on August 14, 2025.
The veteran actor expressed his admiration for Nagarjuna’s disciplined lifestyle, which he believes contributes to his enduring good looks and energy.
A Reunion After Decades: Rajinikanth’s Observations on Nagarjuna’s Agelessness
During the promotional interaction, Rajinikanth recalled their previous collaboration more than three decades ago on the 1991 film Shanti Kranthi (also known as Nattukku Oru Nallavan). “I once acted with him 33–34 years ago. He looks younger now than he did back then,” Rajinikanth stated, adding with a laugh, “I’ve lost all my hair, and yet he’s maintaining his skin and physique. I asked him how he did it, and he said, nothing but exercise and diet.”
Rajinikanth further shared details of Nagarjuna’s health regimen, revealing that the Telugu superstar adheres to a strict routine, including finishing dinner by 6:30-7:00 PM. Nagarjuna also credits his late father, legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, for imparting a philosophy of “never taking anything to heart,” which he believes has contributed to his sustained charm and vitality.
Nagarjuna’s Pivotal Role in Coolie
Beyond his impressive fitness, Rajinikanth also praised Nagarjuna’s performance as the antagonist, Simon, in Coolie. Rajinikanth admitted that he was surprised when director Lokesh Kanagaraj revealed that Nagarjuna had agreed to the role after six sittings, especially since Nagarjuna has primarily played protagonists throughout his career. “He’s not an actor to play the role just for money; he doesn’t need it. He has always played the protagonist,” Rajinikanth remarked. He even suggested that he doubted he could have played the role of Simon as effectively as Nagarjuna.
The Filming Experience in Thailand
Rajinikanth fondly reminisced about the 17 days they spent shooting for Coolie in Thailand. He described Nagarjuna as “not just handsome, he’s a gentleman,” highlighting the positive camaraderie between the two actors during production.
About Coolie
Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 14, 2025. Notably, Coolie has received an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, making it Rajinikanth’s first film in 36 years to receive such a rating, which has sparked discussions among fans.
