The wait is almost over for fans of Tamil cinema’s legendary icon, Rajinikanth! His highly anticipated film Coolie has officially kicked off its 100-day countdown, with the release set for August 14, 2025 . Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj (Vikram , Kaithi ), this action-packed thriller promises to be a cinematic spectacle, featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Shruti Haasan, and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan in a surprise cameo.

First Look at the Promo: Whistles, Music, and Star Power

Sun Pictures unveiled a thrilling promo that’s already setting social media abuzz. With fiery visuals of Rajinikanth’s character, Deva, and glimpses of Nagarjuna, Upendra, and Sathyaraj, the teaser teases a high-stakes narrative. Anirudh Ravichander’s electrifying background score, paired with Rajinikanth’s iconic whistle, amps up the adrenaline. The promo ends with the tagline: “Arangam Adhirattumme, Whistle Parakkattumme!” (The arena is ready, the whistle is blowing! ), leaving fans eager for more.

What’s Coolie All About?

Marking Rajinikanth’s 171st film , Coolie dives into the murky world of gold smuggling, with the actor portraying a morally complex character named Deva. Shruti Haasan plays a pivotal role, while Pooja Hegde dazzles in a special dance number. The film’s gritty storyline, combined with Girish Gangadharan’s stunning cinematography and Anirudh’s chart-topping music, aims to deliver a grand cinematic experience.

Release Strategy: Avoiding Clashes, Aiming for Glory

Originally rumored to face competition from another big-budget release, the makers have wisely postponed the film to ensure it dominates screens unchallenged. Set to release in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada , Coolie is poised to become a pan-Indian blockbuster, leveraging Rajinikanth’s massive fanbase across the country.

Behind the Scenes: Wrapping Up in March, Building Hype

Principal photography concluded in March 2025, and now the team is channeling all energy into promoting the film. The #CoolieIn100Days hashtag is trending on platforms like X, reflecting the frenzy among fans. This collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj is already being dubbed a potential “cinematic blast” of 2025, blending mass appeal with top-tier filmmaking.

As the countdown ticks on, all eyes are on August 14—when Coolie aims to redefine Tamil cinema’s global footprint. Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀

India launched a targeted military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor , striking nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives two weeks prior. The Indian Defense Ministry confirmed the operation aimed to dismantle infrastructure used to plan cross-border terrorism against India. The strikes triggered intense cross-border shelling, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Here’s how the world responded:

U.S. Calls for De-escalation
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope that the conflict would “end very quickly,” calling the situation “a shame.” He acknowledged awareness of potential escalations, stating, “We heard about it just as we were walking into the Oval Office.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in urgent diplomacy, speaking to India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Pakistani security officials to urge open communication channels and prevent further hostilities.

UN and UAE Urge Restraint
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep concern over the strikes, urging both nations to exercise “maximum military restraint” to avoid a full-blown crisis. The UAE echoed this sentiment, with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan appealing for de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further instability in the region.

Israel Backs India’s Right to Self-Defense
In a strong show of solidarity, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar declared, “Israel supports India’s right for self-defense,” condemning terrorists who target civilians. He emphasized that perpetrators of such crimes “have no place to hide,” aligning Israel’s stance with India’s counter-terrorism efforts.

As tensions simmer, the international community remains divided between calls for calm and support for India’s proactive measures against terror networks. The situation continues to unfold, with global attention focused on averting a broader regional conflict.

Virginia Giuffre, a central witness in the blockbuster sex abuse claims against the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and Britain’s Prince Andrew, has died by suicide at home in Australia, her family confirmed Saturday. Giuffre, who was dual US-Australian citizen, was 41.

In deep sadness, her family announced, “Virginia died last night at her farm in Western Australia.” In a statement issued to AFP through her agent, they disclosed that she had committed suicide after suffering “a lifetime of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.”

Giuffre publicly accused Epstein of using her as a sex slave and said she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17—a minor under American law—after being introduced to him by Epstein. The financier died from suicide in 2019 while in a New York City jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew never once denied Giuffre’s sexual assault claims and eventually settled the case out of court by paying a large amount of money. The reports say that as part of this settlement, a donation was made to a charity for victims of sex trafficking.

“There are no words to express the overwhelming sadness we feel today at the passing of our dear Virginia,” her family wrote in their statement, commending her “remarkable courage and compassionate spirit.” They continued, “The weight of the abuse she suffered became too much for her to carry, but we take comfort in knowing she is now with the angels.”

Western Australian authorities, following procedure, did not identify her but said emergency workers provided first aid after being sent to a residence in Neergabby, north of Perth, late Friday evening. A 41-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive and subsequently declared dead at the scene. Police said initial investigations indicate the death is not suspicious.

Prior to this, in March, Giuffre rode out a light car crash onto a school bus with 29 children near Perth. After it happened, she uploaded a selfie from her bed at the hospital with facial injuries, along with a mysterious posting that implied that she thought that her time had run out. Her agent has explained that it was accidentally released.

Giuffre left behind her three children—Christian, Noah, and Emily—who she called “the light of her life.” There were reports of tensions between Giuffre and her estranged husband, Robert, in local media, including those about a family violence restraining order that was filed against her in February. Her agent asserted that she was planning to fight what she called “malicious claims” and was concerned about the well-being of her children, with whom her husband had custody.

Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre’s lawyer, recalled her as a “dear friend” and a crusader for the other survivors. “Her courage motivated me to fight harder, and her toughness was nothing less than remarkable,” McCawley said.

Dini von Mueffling, Giuffre’s New York-based agent, hailed her as “one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever known.” Von Mueffling added, “She was deeply loving, insightful, and full of humor—a guiding light for countless survivors and victims seeking justice.”

Giuffre’s legacy will endure as a symbol of courage for those fighting to expose the horrors of abuse and exploitation.