Koolikaran(1987)
Cooliekkaran is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Rajasekhar and produced by S. Thanu. The film stars Vijayakanth and Rupini, with Jaishankar, Radha Ravi, Nagesh, and Srividya in supporting roles. The story follows Raja, a coolie who turns to smuggling after his brother dies due to the negligence of a wealthy mill owner. Raja seeks revenge against the owner Chakravarthy while navigating love and family loyalty. The film is a remake of the Hindi film Kaalia (1981). It was released on 4 June 1987 and became a commercial success. The film earned Vijayakanth the title 'Puratchi Kalaignar' from producer Thanu.
Koolikaran (1987) OTT release date is not officially announced yet — GudVibe tracks its streaming availability daily.
Where to watch:Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 4 June 1987
- Director
- Rajasekhar
- Language
- Tamil
- Rating
- 7.3/10
Storyline
A young coolie named Raja loses his brother after a wealthy mill owner refuses to help with medical costs. Swearing revenge, Raja becomes a smuggler and builds a gang to destroy the owner's empire. But his sister-in-law and a reformed thief complicate his path to justice.
“One coolie against an empire of evil.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Koolikaran
Cast reunions in this film: Vijayakanth & Ilayaraja (50 films together), Ilayaraja & Radha Ravi (37 films together), Vijayakanth & Radha Ravi (18 films together), Ilayaraja & Rajasekhar (13 films together), Ilayaraja & Rupini (12 films together), and Vijayakanth & Rupini (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Coolikkaran' directly translates to 'The Coolie' in English, highlighting the protagonist's working-class profession.
- This was one of the early films for director Rajashekar, who later became known for his action and crime thrillers in the 1990s.
- Actor Sathyaraj, who played the lead role Raja, was known for his 'angry young man' image, which this film strongly utilized.
- The movie's plot of a worker's injustice and revenge was a common theme in Tamil cinema of the 1980s, reflecting social issues.
- The climax involving the hero's escape and revenge was reportedly a major draw for audiences in single-screen theaters at the time.
- Actress Radha, a major star of the era, played the female lead, adding to the film's commercial appeal.
- The film's music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, a legendary composer, though it is not among his most famous soundtracks.