Rajinikanth's Coolie has a Christopher Nolan movie inspiration: Guess the unexpected Hollywood twist

Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for blending Indian cinema with global influences, has reportedly drawn inspiration from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight for his upcoming film Coolie. According to Tollywood star Nagarjuna Akkineni, who plays the villain in the film, Lokesh referenced Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker for the character’s costumes and overall vibe.

Pinkvilla reported that Nagarjuna explained in a conversation with Shruti Haasan that the director wanted to capture the “madness” he saw in Joker, particularly through the costume design. “I think Loki had Heath Ledger’s Joker in his mind, and he wanted that madness. He probably saw the madness in the colour as well,” Nagarjuna said, highlighting the unique purple-and-cream costume he dons in the movie.

Bold New Look for Nagarjuna

The actor noted that he had never worn such colors before, making the experience both fresh and challenging. He recalled, “Loki told the dress designers. They got two or three options. He saw and said, ‘This is it. This is the one I want.’ I also had a jacket. Purple jacket. It was really good. I never wore those colours.”


Describing the outfit as unconventional, Nagarjuna added, “It is a very strange dress. I mean, even for me, it’s baggy pants.” Shruti Haasan agreed, observing that the costume combines elements of both Heath Ledger’s Joker and the traditional Joker imagery. Nagarjuna humorously remarked that he was “glad he didn’t put on that smile.”

Preparing for a Negative Role

Nagarjuna, who has predominantly played heroic characters, revealed that he approached this negative role differently. He recorded the narration for the first time and took detailed notes before agreeing to play Simon, the character inspired by Joker. The actor reflected, “The story starts with Simon’s character. For the first time, I’ve recorded the narration and made notes to decide on the character. I never did this earlier.”

Even Superstar Rajinikanth, playing the titular role, was reportedly impressed with Nagarjuna’s portrayal. “After the shot was over, Rajini sir nodded and said ‘hmmm’ (with a sweet smile),” Nagarjuna recalled.

Coolie, featuring Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan, is releasing in theatres on August 14.