Indian multilingual film “Coolie,” released on August 15, 2025, marks the first collaboration between superstar Rajinikanth and hitmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj.
The action‑packed revenge drama boasts a stellar cast featuring Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, with a cameo by Aamir Khan.
Plot & setup:
Deva (Rajinikanth) enters Vizag’s smuggling underworld to avenge a friend’s suspicious death, unraveling a conspiracy that intertwines with his past.
The film uses de‑aging flashbacks, big‑ticket cameos, and stylised set‑pieces to maintain momentum.
What works:
Rajinikanth’s charisma: signature swagger, presence, and a second‑half surge filled with fan‑service moments.
Supporting cast: Nagarjuna’s Simon leaves a mark; Soubin Shahir and Sathyaraj add texture; cameo reveals lift the climax.
Craft touches: Smooth de‑aging work and 80s‑themed sequences; Anirudh’s BGM fuels set‑pieces even if songs divide opinion.
What doesn’t:
Uneven pacing: A slower, detour‑filled first half; sharper energy only kicks in after the interval.
Template beats: Familiar revenge tropes and commercially safe choices limit freshness.
Public response
From first‑show whistles to midnight celebrations, “Coolie” has been a festival for Rajinikanth fans. Social media reactions are polarized—one half calling it “pure mass” entertainment, the other wishing for a tighter script.
Overseas feedback echoes this split, praising style but flagging predictability.
Box‑office performance
.@rajinikanth #Coolie 3 Days Box Office Collection :-
👉Tamilnadu : ₹78 Cr
👉Andhra & Nizam : ₹50 Cr
👉Kerala : ₹19 Cr
👉Karnataka : ₹29.3 Cr
👉Rest of India : ₹20 Cr
👉Overseas : ₹149 Cr / $17 Mn ( Est)Total Worldwide Gross : ₹345.3 Cr pic.twitter.com/l23CEfd5CQ
— Filmy Track (@Filmy_Track) August 17, 2025
Trade sources and official announcements indicate a thunderous start:
- Day 1 worldwide gross: ₹151 crore+ — a new opening record for Tamil cinema.
- By Day 3: ₹300 crore+ worldwide, the fastest for a Tamil film to reach this milestone.
- First weekend trend: ₹320–325 crore worldwide.
- India net (Day 1–4): ~₹194–195 crore, driven by strong demand in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi markets despite competition from War 2.
| Day | India Net (₹ cr) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 65 |
| Day 2 | 54–55 |
| Day 3 | 39–39.5 |
| Day 4 | ~35 |
| Total | ~194–195 |
“Coolie” thrives on the magnetism of Rajinikanth, supported by a heavyweight cast and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s flair for mass moments.
While the screenplay treads familiar territory, its second‑half energy, big‑screen spectacle, and festive presentation have secured it a roaring start at the box office.
OTT platform and release date
, the makers have confirmed that “Coolie” will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run.
While there’s no official streaming date yet, multiple trade reports indicate an eight‑week post‑theatrical window, which would place its OTT debut around mid‑October 2025, likely timed with the Dussehra festive frame.
Prime Video reportedly acquired the digital rights for about ₹120 crore, making it one of the biggest OTT acquisitions in Tamil cinema history
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