Lokesh Kanagaraj, the director of the highly anticipated film 'Coolie' starring Rajinikanth, has revealed the inspiration and reasoning behind the inclusion of the song 'Monica' in the movie. The song, featuring Pooja Hegde, has already become a viral sensation, crossing 50 million views on YouTube.

Kanagaraj disclosed that he and composer Anirudh Ravichander are long-time admirers of the iconic Italian actress Monica Bellucci. During the initial discussions about the song, they were inspired to create something that captured Bellucci's elegance and charm. This led to the idea of incorporating her name into the lyrics as a tribute.

Once the music began to take shape, the filmmakers considered who could embody the same energy and on-screen presence as Monica Bellucci. Pooja Hegde emerged as the ideal choice, possessing the grace and glamour they sought. According to Kanagaraj, after Hegde joined the project, naming her character Monica felt like a natural homage to their original muse.

The song 'Monica' has been trending on social media, garnering significant attention for the energy that Pooja Hegde and Soubin Shahir bring to the screen. The song features vocals by Anirudh himself and Sublahshini, with rap by Asal Kolaar and lyrics by Vishnu Edavan.

Despite the artistic inspiration behind the song, Kanagaraj has also stated that the inclusion of 'Monica' in 'Coolie' served a business purpose. He acknowledged that his films typically do not feature special songs but recognized the commercial potential of such a number. He assured audiences that the song would not disrupt the film's narrative flow but would instead enhance it. Kanagaraj referenced the viral hit 'Kaavaalaa' from the 2023 film 'Jailer,' noting that it had scope for Rajinikanth to be involved in the dance, seamlessly blending it with the story. However, 'Coolie' did not offer the same opportunity, making Soubin's presence a key factor in placing the song.

'Coolie' has received an 'A' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), suggesting mature content aligned with the film's intense drama and action sequences. The film is slated for release on August 14 and features a star-studded cast. The movie marks the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj, as well as Rajinikanth and Shruti Haasan. It also reunites Rajinikanth with Sathyaraj after their collaboration in the 1986 film 'Mr Bharath'.