As much as the Tamil cine audience is excited for Rajinikanth's Coolie, they are also looking forward to the Superstar's reunion with actor Sathyaraj, almost 40 years since the release of Mr. Bharath on January 10, 1986. Veteran actor Sathyaraj who has played a combination of villain roles, lead roles, and—in the later stage of his career—character roles, has done seven films with Rajinikanth.

At the Coolie Unleashed event—that marked the audio and trailer launch of Coolie, along with a small celebration of Rajinikanth's 50 years in cinema—Sathyaraj finally opened up about why after 40 years he finally decided to do that eight film. 

"I have a line of reasons. Moondru Mugam (1982), Paayum Puli (1983), Naan Sigappu Manithan (1984), Naan Mahaan Alla (1984), Sri Raghavendrar (1985), Thambikku Entha Ooru (1984), Mr Bharath (1986)-I have acted as a villain to Rajinikanth in all the 7 films. There would be a wish to act as his friend in atleast one film know? In this (Coolie) movie, I have acted as Rajinikanth's friend. That is the main reason", said Sathyaraj. 

Coolie also marks the maiden collaboration between Sathyaraj and film's director Lokesh Kanagaraj who was born 2 months after Mr. Bharath's release in 1986. Sathyaraj in his speech at the Coolie Unleashed event shared that when Lokesh asked him with wonder about being active in the field for 47 years, the actor replied, 

"Lokesh, for the past 50 years there is a man who has retained himself as a Superstar. Is 47 years of being active a big deal? The only person who has been a Superstar for the last 50 years is Rajini Sir." 

 

Sathyaraj who decades ago stopped working with Rajinikanth over personal differences, was all praises for the Coolie's lead act, and them working together again. "I am very happy about me being a part of this (Coolie) film". When asked about what quality he finds that hasn't changed at all in Rajini, Sathyaraj was quick to reply, "Ofcourse that style only". 

Sathyaraj concluded his Coolie Unleashed event speech with a blast from the past sharing,

"There is a song itself dedicated to Rajinikanth's style (from the 1995 movie Baasha)..A man can showcase his style only when his conscious. Can someone be stylish when they are sleeping? 

 

I'll tell you an incident. Because we are an actor, we arrive with airs but when you see us sleeping (makes unconscious face). There is this film Thambikku Entha Orru (1984). We had shooting at Nawanagar Palace (Aramby Ridge). Rajinikanth was hero, I was the villain. 

Now we have caravans (but back then) during lunch break, he simply would lie down and sleep. No bedsheets or pillows were required, he used to keep his hand as pillow and nap. Thambikku Entha Ooru also had (actor) Nizhalgal Ravi. 

 

There was this tree at Nawanagar Palace, and he was sleeping on a bench with his hand as his pillow under it. We used to smoke back then, so we lit up a cigarette and were standing there but for quite some time both Nizhalgal Ravi and me were looking at Rajini Sir only. 

 

I told Ravi at that time 'Hey friend, a man can be stylish while standing, can be stylish while walking, can be stylish while acting but why does the man have to be stylish even while sleeping' (mimics Rajinikanth's prim sleeping face). What I mean is even when he is not conscious, he is with style only. He is style, that's all."

 

Coolie releases in theaters worldwide on August 14, 2025. The movie has Sathyaraj playing a character named Rajasekar, who has three daughters including Shruthi Haasan who plays Preethi Rakasekar. Rajinikanth plays 'Deva' who is shown as the man who protects Shruthi Haasan and sisters after Sathyaraj's death in the film.