If there’s one place where Coolie is an undeniable triumph, it’s Tamil Nadu. The Rajinikanth–Lokesh Kanagaraj collaboration opened to a thunderous 63.86% occupancy on Day 2 across the state, with Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore witnessing near-festival atmospheres. Advance bookings alone contributed to a record-breaking ₹50 crore pre-release haul in India, with the Tamil version grossing ₹51 crore on Day 1.
Industry trackers predict Coolie could eclipse Jailer’s Tamil Nadu record of ₹200 crore, targeting an extraordinary ₹230–₹250 crore run in the state. In a market where regional dominance can drive national headlines, Coolie is firmly in blockbuster territory.
Fans Celebrate, Critics Split
Positive Response:
For Rajinikanth’s fans, Coolie is pure “mass tsunami.” The superstar’s magnetic screen presence, stylish action choreography, and Anirudh Ravichander’s pulsating score have been lauded as the film’s heartbeat. Key set-pieces — particularly the interval block — have triggered unrestrained celebrations in theatres, complete with drum beats and confetti showers.
Social media platforms have been ablaze with praise, calling the film a “cinematic festival” and “triumph of style and substance.” Performances by Soubin Shahir and Shruti Haasan have also won appreciation, with some fans already booking repeat viewings.
Negative Response:
Yet, the applause isn’t universal. Critics and some audiences lament the underuse of a heavyweight supporting cast that includes Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Upendra, and Sathyaraj. Nagarjuna’s role, in particular, has been called a “waste of talent.” Others miss the sharp writing and narrative density of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram or Leo, citing pacing issues, an overreliance on violence, and a lack of family-friendly content. The film’s ‘A’ certificate has raised concerns about its appeal among Rajinikanth’s traditional family audience.
Did It Meet the Hype?
The pre-release buzz around Coolie was nothing short of feverish, bolstered by Rajinikanth’s golden jubilee in cinema and Lokesh’s blockbuster pedigree. For many, the film delivered in terms of theatrical scale and star power. But the lukewarm trailer reception foreshadowed some creative shortcomings — particularly in narrative depth and character utilization — that have since become common critiques.
While fans have largely embraced the spectacle, Coolie hasn’t universally matched the lofty expectations set by its makers and marketing. The piracy leak on release day, with HD prints flooding torrent networks, has also dented its clean sweep potential.
The ₹1000 Crore Question
Strengths:
By Day 2, Coolie had already grossed ₹157 crore worldwide — ₹78 crore from India and ₹79 crore overseas. In North America, it set new Tamil cinema records with a $9 million haul. Analysts believe the film could rack up ₹700 crore from South India alone, leaving the Hindi belt and international markets to bridge the gap to ₹1000 crore. The multi-starrer format, extended Independence Day weekend, and lack of major South Indian competition further bolster its chances.
Challenges:
However, War 2 — starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR — looms as a formidable rival in Hindi and Telugu markets. Mixed reviews, an ‘A’ certificate limiting family audiences, and piracy-related revenue loss add to the uphill climb. Current projections place Coolie’s most likely lifetime gross between ₹500–₹700 crore, with ₹1000 crore achievable only under near-perfect conditions.
In Tamil Nadu, Coolie is not just a blockbuster — it’s a cultural moment. But its journey from regional supremacy to ₹1000 crore global glory hinges on sustained momentum outside the South, ironclad word-of-mouth, and minimal erosion from competition and piracy.
For now, Rajinikanth has once again reminded the industry of his unparalleled crowd-pulling power, ensuring Coolie earns its place in the annals of Tamil box office history — whether or not it becomes the state’s first ₹1000 crore grosser.
