Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth, released on August 14 with Nagarjuna playing the antagonist, Simon.
In Hyderabad, the actor’s fans turned the premiere into a mini-celebration, covering theatres with his posters, garlanding his images, and setting the tone for his upcoming birthday on August 29.
Messages reading “Advance Happy Birthday Annayya” adorned the walls, while fans brought dhols, performed milk rituals, and showered confetti.
In Vizag, the celebrations were equally grand, with custom flags featuring Nagarjuna’s Coolie character, smoke bombs, and fireworks lighting up the atmosphere.
However, the enthusiasm dimmed after the screenings. Many fans took to social media to express disappointment over how Nagarjuna’s character was portrayed.
One viewer on X wrote, “Movie was good, climax was super fun, but honestly, Nagarjuna’s character felt wasted & the movie lacked a strong villain.” Another commented, “Wasted Nagarjuna and Sathyaraj’s characters.”
This reaction comes in contrast to his recent special appearance in Kuberaa, which was widely appreciated in the Telugu states for offering his role more depth and substance.
