When a Rajinikanth film hits the theaters, it's not just a movie release; it's a full-blown festival. And his latest venture, Coolie, directed by the visionary Lokesh Kanagaraj, has proven this all over again. Released on August 14, the film didn't just open big—it created a storm at the box office, demonstrating the superstar's unwavering dominance and reaffirming that some things truly never change.
Key Highlights
- ✓ In just six days, Coolie smashed past a massive ₹418 crore at the worldwide box office.
- ✓ The film has officially surpassed the lifetime collection of Kamal Haasan's acclaimed movie, Vikram (₹414.43 crore).
- ✓ Despite a head-to-head clash, Coolie secured a clear win over Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR's War 2 in its first week.
- ✓ This makes Coolie the second-highest-grossing film for director Lokesh Kanagaraj, right behind Vijay's Leo.
- ✓ It has also become superstar Rajinikanth's third-biggest grosser, trailing only the colossal hits 2.0 and Jailer.
A Box Office Storm from Day One
Let’s talk numbers, because they are simply staggering. Coolie stormed into cinemas with an absolutely jaw-dropping ₹65 crore opening day haul in India. You see, this wasn't just a good opening; it was a statement. Driven by what can only be described as "unmatched fan frenzy," the film became Rajinikanth's all-time highest opener, showing the world that Thalaivar's pull is as strong as ever.
The momentum didn't stop there. According to reports from the trade website Sacnilk, the film blazed past the ₹100 crore mark in just two days, ending its second day with a cumulative total of ₹119.75 crore. The extended Independence Day weekend was the perfect fuel for this box office fire, with Saturday bringing in ₹39.5 crore and Sunday adding another ₹35.25 crore. By the end of its first four days, Coolie was sitting pretty at a domestic total of ₹194.5 crore.
By the end of its first week, the film had wrapped up with an estimated net collection of ₹222.5 crore in India alone. Globally, the story is even more impressive. Within just six days, the film had earned a massive ₹418 crore worldwide, with a huge chunk—₹162.20 crore—coming from overseas markets. This officially put it in clear profit territory, as the film was made on a budget of ₹350 crore.
The Clash of Titans: Coolie vs. War 2
What makes these numbers even more remarkable is the context. Coolie didn't have a solo run; it went head-to-head with another highly anticipated behemoth, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. A clash of this magnitude is always a high-stakes gamble, but it seems to have paid off brilliantly for the Rajinikanth starrer.
While Coolie surged past the ₹220 crore mark in its first week in India, War 2 is estimated to have ended its first week slightly lower, at around ₹199 crore. This isn't just a win; it's a decisive victory that highlights Rajinikanth's sheer box office dominance. It’s a powerful reminder that when it comes to drawing crowds, very few can compete with the phenomenon that is Rajinikanth.
Reshuffling the All-Time Leaderboards
Here's where things get really exciting for film buffs. Coolie isn't just making money; it's rewriting the record books. In less than a week, it has overtaken the entire lifetime worldwide collection of Kamal Haasan's critically and commercially successful film, Vikram, which stood at ₹414.43 crore. It's a massive achievement, especially considering Vikram was also a Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial.
This success has also reshuffled the director's own high-score list. Coolie is now officially Lokesh Kanagaraj's second-highest-grossing film ever. The top spot is still held by Vijay's electrifying blockbuster, Leo (2023), which raked in a colossal ₹605.9 crore worldwide. But for Coolie to surpass Vikram so quickly is a testament to the combined star power of its lead and director.
For Rajinikanth himself, Coolie has comfortably settled in as his third-biggest grosser. The only two films ahead of it are the sci-fi epic 2.0 (2018), with its untouchable ₹691 crore lifetime collection, and the recent sensation Jailer (2023), which earned a massive ₹604.5 crore. It’s an exclusive club, and Coolie has earned its spot with authority.
More Than Just Numbers: The Film Itself
So, what’s the story that’s pulling in these massive crowds? Interestingly, Coolie is a standalone film. It is not a part of Lokesh’s much-talked-about cinematic universe that connects the worlds of Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo. This movie tells the story of Deva, a former coolie union leader played by Rajinikanth, who is now running a subsidiary housing for students.
His peaceful life is turned upside down when the sudden death of his friend Rajasekhar (played by the veteran Sathyaraj) forces him to confront his past. This brings him face-to-face with a formidable gangster named Simon, portrayed by the charismatic Nagarjuna. The film boasts an incredible ensemble cast, including Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Rachita Ram, Upendra, and even a key cameo appearance by Aamir Khan.
While the film has received what many are calling "mixed reviews," it's clear that audience sentiment is powerful enough to drive incredible box office results. As film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted in his review for NDTV, "It is Rajinikanth the star and Deva the character who call the shots all the way through." Ultimately, that star power is proving to be the film's greatest asset.
Conclusion
The bottom line is this: Coolie is an undisputed box office titan. Despite facing stiff competition and mixed critical reception, the film has delivered on a massive scale, shattering records and proving once again the enduring, unparalleled star power of Rajinikanth. It’s a major win for him, a new milestone for director Lokesh Kanagaraj, and a powerful reminder that in the world of Indian cinema, some legends are simply in a league of their own.
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