As the highly anticipated film Coolie gears up for its August 14 theatrical release, actor Shruti Haasan has reflected on her experience working alongside one of Indian cinema’s biggest legends — Rajinikanth. While the cast of the action-packed entertainer also includes Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj, with Pooja Hegde in a special appearance, Shruti’s moments with Rajinikanth have left a lasting impression.
Appearing on the BeerBiceps podcast, Shruti spoke candidly about her journey in the industry, her love for music, and her perspective on stardom. Discussing Coolie, she recalled how surreal it felt to share screen space with Rajinikanth, someone she had admired from a distance despite growing up in a film family.
“My father (Kamal Haasan) and he are like two pillars and faces of Tamil cinema,” she said. “People assume I must have grown up around him, but I really only knew him through the public’s lens and through my dad’s stories. Working with him on Coolie gave me the chance to understand the person behind the superstar.”
Shruti praised the veteran actor’s balance of intellect and warmth, saying, “He is a unique mix of characteristics—shrewd and sharp, yet so warm and easy to talk to. He doesn’t carry his gravitas around. On set, he brings such a positive energy. Everyone feels happy working with him.”
The Salaar actress also reflected on how rare such personalities are in today’s film landscape. “Amitabh Bachchan sir, my father, and Rajini sir are just different souls,” she said. “They don’t make them like that anymore.”
With Coolie bringing together powerhouse performers from across Indian cinema, and an ensemble cast promising high-octane entertainment, expectations are high. Shruti’s heartfelt words are just another reason why fans are eagerly waiting to see the film unfold on the big screen.
