It’s official — Coolie has rewritten box office history. The Rajinikanth-starrer, produced by Sun Pictures and helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, recorded a staggering ₹151 crore+ worldwide gross on its opening day, setting a new all-time record for Tamil cinema. This figure surpasses previous Day 1 records, cementing Rajinikanth’s position as the undisputed king of box office openings.
Why This Record is Special
Unlike other high-grossing Tamil films in recent years, Coolie achieved this feat without the advantage of an existing cinematic universe, IMAX release formats, or heavy marketing in the Hindi belt. The film opened alongside a highly anticipated Bollywood release, yet managed to dominate ticket sales globally.
In comparison, films like Leo leaned on multi-star cameos, franchise branding, and wider Hindi promotions to boost openings. Coolie, however, relied solely on Rajinikanth’s mass appeal and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s storytelling — and the results speak volumes.
Rajinikanth’s Enduring Pull
The opening day scenes across Tamil Nadu and other states were nothing short of electrifying. Theatre crowds swelled, with fans pouring in to celebrate Thalaivar’s latest outing. Social media buzzed with videos of early morning shows, cutouts, and celebrations across regions.
In markets like Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and the overseas Tamil diaspora hubs, Coolie recorded historic figures. Even without the Hindi market focus, the film’s global reach drove it past the ₹150 crore mark in just 24 hours.
The Superstar Effect
This record is not just a number — it’s a testament to Rajinikanth’s unmatched charisma and sustained relevance over decades. While other stars require multi-language strategies, multi-star casts, or franchise hooks, Rajinikanth continues to prove that his name alone is a box office event.
With this milestone, Coolie has not just opened strong — it has set the tone for becoming one of the biggest grossers in Indian cinema history.