Chennai: Director Lokesh Kanagaraj and music composer Anirudh Ravichander’s upcoming film Coolie has already sparked buzz, thanks to its special song “Monica,” which pays tribute to legendary Italian actress Monica Bellucci. Featuring Pooja Hegde in a glamorous avatar, the number recently caught the attention of Bellucci herself—and she loved it.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Pooja Hegde learned that Mélita Toscan, head of the Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM), had shown the Monica song to Monica Bellucci. To Pooja’s surprise, the celebrated actress was impressed.
“That’s the biggest compliment ever. I’ve always admired Monica Bellucci—her persona, her voice, and her style are iconic. I’m glad she liked it. Many Tamil fans were even commenting on her Instagram, asking her to watch the song,” said Pooja, visibly thrilled.
Shooting ‘Monica’ Under Challenging Conditions
Pooja Hegde, known for viral hits like Butta Bomma, Arabic Kuthu, and Kanimaa, revealed that filming Monica was far more demanding.
“It was outdoors, extremely hot and humid. The choreography had heavy steps, wide frames, my hair was loose, and I had to look fresh without a trace of sweat. It was physically exhausting—I even got tanned after five days of shooting,” she shared.
About Coolie
Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj with music by Anirudh Ravichander, is set for release on 14 August. The film will face a big box office clash with Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
The star-studded cast of Coolie includes Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan. While the makers have kept plot details under wraps, the British Board of Film Classification describes the film as an action drama about a mysterious man who challenges a corrupt syndicate exploiting the workers of a port town.
With Monica already gaining international attention, Coolie is shaping up to be one of Tamil cinema’s most anticipated releases of the year.