Coolie Crushes Day 1 Records: Rajinikanth’s Box Office Thunderbolt Smashes Expectations
The Superstar roared back with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s gangster saga on the Independence Day weekend, setting new benchmarks in India and across the globe. Here’s the full story — from the first-day numbers to what lies ahead.
No extra build-up was needed. The moment posters of Rajinikanth’s Coolie appeared, fans started booking tickets like their life depended on it. By the time August 15 arrived, theatres were flooded. The result? Coolie didn’t just have a big opening — it rewrote history. It outperformed not only Vijay’s Leo but also Bollywood’s biggest guns like War 2, leaving nearly every other blockbuster trailing far behind.
Coolie Day 1 Box Office Collection – Records Broken
From the moment Rajinikanth’s name flashed on screen, it was clear the box office was in for a storm.
Trade tracker Sacnilk estimated that Coolie collected around ₹65 crore net from Indian theatres on Day 1 — the biggest opening of Rajinikanth’s career so far. To put that in perspective, this figure is higher than Leo’s opening day and towers over many recent pan-India hits.
But the magic didn’t stop in India.
Film trade analysts reported that Coolie pulled in ₹170 crore worldwide on Day 1, making it one of the biggest global openings for an Indian film ever. This smashes the numbers of Jailer, 2.0, and even Bollywood spectacles like Pathaan.
In North America, Coolie set a record for the highest premiere collection for a Tamil film, earning over $3.04 million on its opening day. That’s the Superstar’s fanbase showing up in full force across the globe.
#COOLIE SMASHES ALL EXISTING DAY 1 RECORDS OF TAMIL CINEMA 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— ONLINE RAJINI FANS (@OnlineRajiniFC) August 14, 2025
EMPEROR OF INDIAN CINEMA#Coolie #CoolieReview #CoolieBlockbuster #Thalaivar pic.twitter.com/RsHdFb4mK8
Coolie Day 1 Collection Worldwide – Detailed Figures
- Tamil Nadu: ₹28–30 crore — virtually sold out across major cities and towns.
- Karnataka: ₹14 crore — exceptional numbers for a Tamil film in the state.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: ₹17 crore — boosted by Rajinikanth’s strong Telugu following.
- Kerala: ₹9.5 crore — one of the highest ever openings in the state for a non-Malayalam film.
- Rest of India: ₹7.25 crore — the Hindi-dubbed version saw promising turnout.
Total Day 1 India Gross (All Languages): Around ₹76.75 crore.
Worldwide Day 1 Gross: ₹150–170 crore (depending on various trade estimates).
What’s even more impressive is the advance booking figure — over ₹51 crore worth of tickets sold before the movie even released. Out of this, ₹37 crore came from overseas markets and ₹14 crore from India.
Coolie vs War 2 – The Independence Day Clash
This year’s Independence Day was a box office war zone. On one side, Rajinikanth with Coolie — a massy action drama set in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s universe. On the other, War 2 — YRF’s Spy Universe film starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani.
While War 2 opened strong in India with ₹52.5 crore net, it couldn’t match Coolie’s worldwide thunder.
Coolie Day 1 Worldwide: ₹150+ crore
War 2 Day 1 Worldwide: ₹90–95 crore
The numbers tell the story — Rajini ruled both home and overseas markets, while War 2 stayed limited to a strong but not record-breaking start.
Day 2 Box Office Trends – Holding Strong
As expected, Day 2 saw a dip after the massive holiday crowd. But Coolie still brought in ₹22.33 crore net in India, taking its two-day domestic total to ₹87.33 crore.
Interestingly, the Hindi version saw an increase in morning occupancy from 25% on Day 1 to 30% on Day 2 — a sign that the film’s reach is expanding beyond the Tamil audience.
Tamil Nadu pre-sales remained massive, with 8.99 lakh tickets sold for Day 2, grossing ₹16.59 crore just from that state.
Why Coolie Became a Box Office Tsunami
- Rajinikanth’s Evergreen Stardom
Even at 73, Rajinikanth draws crowds like no one else. The energy in theatres when he appears on screen is unmatched. - Perfect Festival Timing
The Independence Day holiday gave Coolie a flying start with extended weekend benefits. - Star-Studded Cast & Cameos
Apart from Rajini, the cast includes Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde. - Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Direction
Lokesh blends mass entertainment with stylish storytelling. His brand itself has become a box office guarantee in South cinema. - Advance Booking Frenzy
Ticket prices in Chennai’s black market reportedly touched ₹4,500 for early shows. That’s the level of hype Coolie carried.
Coolie Movie Reviews – What People Are Saying
- Critics: Mixed reviews — while some praised Rajinikanth’s screen presence and the music, others felt the screenplay dragged in parts.
- Fans: Overwhelmingly positive. Social media is flooded with videos of audiences dancing, cheering, and throwing confetti in theatres.
- Piracy Concerns: Within hours of release, pirated copies appeared online, worrying distributors about potential mid-week drops.
Where Coolie Stands in Tamil Cinema History
Weekend & Lifetime Projections
With such a massive start, trade experts predict:
- 4-Day India Net: ₹200–220 crore
- Lifetime Gross: ₹550–600 crore possible if strong weekday collections continue.
The only threats? Piracy, competition from War 2, and mixed critical reception in the North.
Conclusion – The Superstar Still Rules
Coolie isn’t just a film release — it’s a celebration of Rajinikanth’s unmatched legacy. Day 1 was a statement, Day 2 proved staying power, and the coming week will decide whether it joins the ₹600 crore club.
For now, one thing is clear: Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj have delivered a box office storm that’s going to be remembered for years.
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