Director Rathna Kumar, who worked with Lokesh Kanagaraj as a writer on Master, Leo and Vikram, is returning with his film 29. The movie is set for a worldwide theatrical release on May 7. Promotions are currently in full swing.
The film 29 is produced by Lokesh Kanagaraj’s G Squad Productions and Karthik Subbaraj’s Stone Bench Creations. With the release date nearing, Rathna Kumar is actively promoting it through interviews and public events across multiple platforms.
During one such interview, Rathna Kumar spoke about the criticism faced by Lokesh Kanagaraj after Coolie. His comments quickly went viral on social media. He said that signature elements like retro songs, cameos and multistarrer setups were present in Coolie.
He explained that certain concepts did not connect well with audiences. He compared it to the human sacrifice track in Leo, which also failed to impress many viewers. Similarly, the body disposal idea in Coolie did not work as expected.
Rathna Kumar also revealed that he had shared his concerns with Lokesh Kanagaraj before the release. He felt that having all the usual elements might not be enough. Expectations were higher as it was a film featuring Lokesh Kanagaraj and Rajinikanth.
He further added that after Vikram, films like Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly and Mark Antony overused elements like cameos and retro songs. These aspects became common for audiences, reducing their impact. He felt the negative talk around Coolie grew due to this.
However, many social media users disagreed with Rathna Kumar’s view. They argued that Coolie failed mainly due to weak screenplay and poor execution. Several viewers felt that many scenes lacked depth and did not create the intended impact.
Some also said the electric chair concept was not the issue. They believed it failed because it was not supported by a strong setup in the narrative. Critics feel that Rathna Kumar, being close to Lokesh Kanagaraj, avoided stronger public criticism.
With Rathna Kumar and Lokesh Kanagaraj set to reunite for Allu Arjun’s AA23, expectations are high. Fans are hoping for a strong screenplay and better execution. They want the team to avoid the mistakes seen in Coolie.
Rathna Kumar’s comments on Coolie continue to trend online. Social media platforms are filled with mixed reactions. The debate around Lokesh Kanagaraj’s filmmaking choices remains active among fans and film observers.
