Dk doodles

MOVIE TIME WITH CM – MARXIST LITERARY THEORY The Coolie movie has been the centre of attention this month since its release on August 14th. Its very title suggests the story of a protagonist who dedicates his life to fellow labourers. The film appears to celebrate and honour their struggles. Yet, outside the world of cinema, the real labourers of our society, particularly sanitary workers, were neglected at the moment they needed solidarity the most. In early August 2025, sanitary workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation, especially from zones 5 and 6 (Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar), launched a protest at the iconic Ribbon Building. Over 2,000 workers gathered to demand justice, after their zones were handed over to private contractors. This move slashed their salaries by nearly half and created fear of job losses. If the Coolie movie symbolised respect for workers, one would expect the state’s leaders to meet the real “coolies” of the city that is the sanitary labourers. Instead...

COOLIE – READER RESPONSE THEORY Last night, I watched " Coolie " with my senior Anna. The expectations for this film were sky-high, even though it had been clearly stated beforehand that it was a standalone project and not part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe. In the weeks leading up to its release, fan-made theories filled social media, speculating on how Rajinikanth’s role might connect to Lokesh’s larger world-building. This built a massive sense of anticipation. However, even before stepping into the theatre, I was already influenced by negative reviews from my brother and online discussions. Unfortunately, my own viewing experience aligned with those opinions. The film didn’t feel like a true Lokesh Kanagaraj product. The screenplay dragged in several places, and despite Rajini’s commanding presence, the movie failed to deliver the thrill and intensity I had hoped for. This entire journey, from the excitement before the screening, to the letdown afterward, and the influ...