Rajinikanth’s much-anticipated film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stormed into theatres on August 14, 2025, delivering a rollercoaster of high-voltage action, star-studded drama, and iconic mass moments. Released just before India’s Independence Day, the film quickly became the talk of the town.
Pre-Release Frenzy & Viral Marketing
- The “Monica” song, featuring Pooja Hegde and Soubin Shahir, went viral with its catchy hook step becoming a social media sensation—many fans recreated it with wide reach and engagement.
- In a unique marketing move, Amazon India wrapped packages with official Coolie posters, making it the first Indian film to do so.
Box Office Titan: Records & Numbers
- Coolie shattered all records by earning ₹100 crore in advance bookings, becoming the biggest Indian film ever in pre-release ticket sales.
- On opening day (Aug 14, 2025), domestic collections soared to ₹65 crore, with worldwide gross surpassing ₹150 crore, including a historic ₹151 crore worldwide day-one haul.
- In the U.S., it earned over $3 million in premiere revenues, setting a new benchmark for Tamil cinema overseas.
Cinematic Clash: Coolie vs War 2
- Coolie decisively outpaced War 2 (starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR) in box office reception, winning the epic Independence Day clash with trending tags such as #CoolWar dominating social media conversations.
Story Elements & Star Power
- The narrative casts Rajinikanth as Deva, a gangster embroiled in a revenge saga centered on gold smuggling, vengeance, and redemption.
- Nagarjuna portrays a chilling Joker-inspired villain named Simon, with design and performance drawing direct comparisons to Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker.
- The ensemble includes Aamir Khan (as Dahaa), Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, and Sathyaraj, elevating the film’s pan-India appeal.
Reviews & Reactions: Mixed Yet Magnetic
- While fans praised Rajinikanth’s charisma and electrifying presence, critics offered mixed reviews on its screenplay and storytelling.
- Overseas audiences were less enthusiastic, citing monotonous storytelling, despite action-packed sequences in the climax.
- Despite divergent opinions, social media swiftly crowned it a “mass entertainer”, praising Thalaivar’s “mass moments”, interval thrills, and the overall theatrical experience.
Controversy: Piracy Shadows the Glory
- Just hours after its global release, Coolie was illegally leaked online in multiple formats—from low-quality 240p to full 1080p—raising alarms across the industry regarding piracy.
Final Thoughts
With an unmatched opening fervor, trending soundtrack, and pan-Indian star cast, Coolie has emerged as one of 2025’s most dynamic releases. The film sets the stage for conversations about star power vs content, the evolving role of digital virality in promotions, and the growing impact of piracy on big releases.
Additional:
Rajinikanth’s Super Blockbusters (Aug 2024 – Aug 2025)
1. Vettaiyan – October 10, 2024
- Action-packed drama with Rajinikanth in a police officer role.
- Worldwide Gross: ₹240–250 crore.
- Mixed reviews but commercially strong.
2. Coolie – August 14, 2025
- Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, featuring a pan-India star cast.
- Advance bookings crossed ₹100 crore before release.
- Day 1 domestic: ₹65 crore; Worldwide projection: ₹150 crore+.
- Record-breaking U.S. premiere revenue of over $3 million.
