Rajinikanth’s latest release, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has sparked an unexpected controversy—not over its content, but its certification. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had issued the film an ‘A’ (Adults Only) rating, marking the first time in more than three decades that a Rajinikanth starrer has been restricted to adult audiences.
Sun Pictures, the production banner behind the film, has now petitioned the Madras High Court to alter the certificate to U/A, a rating that would allow children under 12 to watch the film with parental guidance. Senior lawyer J. Ravindran, representing the production house, has requested an emergency hearing before Justice T.V. Tamilselvi, who is scheduled to take up the matter today, August 20.
Why the A Certificate Raised Eyebrows
Coolie does include moments of violence and bloodshed, but the decision to classify it as Adults Only has left both fans and industry insiders puzzled. The film fraternity points out that other high-voltage actioners, including the KGF franchise and Beast, were granted a U/A certificate despite containing more graphic sequences.
Producer Elred Kumar echoed this sentiment on X (formerly Twitter), praising Lokesh Kanagaraj’s work and Rajinikanth’s stellar performance, but questioning the CBFC’s reasoning. “Other language films with more violence get U/A, yet Coolie gets an A? This film didn’t deserve that,” he wrote, adding that the Tamil industry needs to raise its voice against inconsistent standards.
A Blockbuster Amidst the Debate
Despite the certification hurdle, Coolie has stormed the global box office. Released on August 14, the film has already crossed the ₹400 crore mark worldwide, with over ₹180 crore earned in Tamil Nadu alone during its opening days.
The Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial unites Rajinikanth and Shruti Haasan on screen for the first time and also features Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruthi Haasan, Reba Monica John, and Monisha Blessy. The narrative revolves around Deva (Rajinikanth) seeking revenge for the brutal killing of his closest friend (Sathyaraj).
What Happens Next
The High Court’s ruling could set a precedent for how action-heavy mass entertainers are certified in the future. If the U/A rating is granted, Coolie may see an even broader family audience turnout in theatres, further boosting its already staggering box office numbers.
For now, the film continues its dream run, while the industry awaits the court’s verdict on whether Rajinikanth’s latest blockbuster truly deserved an ‘Adults Only’ label.