Rajinikanth’s "Coolie" Sparks Nationwide Fervor with Record-Breaking Pre-Sales and Enthusiastic Fan Celebrations

Rajinikanth's much-awaited film "Coolie", directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, premiered on August 14, 2025, igniting a wave of excitement and massive celebrations across India.

The movie has already set a remarkable benchmark in the Indian box office industry by achieving the highest opening day pre-sales of 2025, grossing an extraordinary ₹37.3 crore in advance bookings alone. This feat surpasses other big releases like Hari Hara Veera Mallu (₹35 crore+) and Game Changer (₹31.8 crore), although it did not surpass the record held by Thalapathy Vijay’s Leo, which boasts ₹46.1 crore in day 1 pre-sales.

Produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures, Coolie features a star-studded cast including Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, Monisha Blessy, and a cameo by Aamir Khan. The plot, kept largely under wraps, centers on a mysterious man standing up against a corrupt syndicate exploiting workers in a port town, according to the British Board of Film Classification.

Fan enthusiasm has reached fever pitch with public celebrations across multiple cities. In Chennai, Madurai, Mumbai, and other locations, hordes of Rajinikanth’s devotees gathered outside theaters, performing traditional rituals such as pouring milk over posters, dancing to dhol beats, and rejoicing with music and vibrant displays of loyalty. Some screenings were temporarily paused due to the overwhelming excitement inside theaters, with audiences erupting into cheers and standing ovations upon Rajinikanth's on-screen appearances.

According to box office tracker Sacnilk, Coolie crossed ₹100 crore in pre-sales for its opening weekend, selling over 12 lakh tickets on the first day itself, underscoring its blockbuster potential.

Despite the movie’s trailer receiving a mixed response, with some critics calling it one of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s weakest, expectations remain sky-high due to Rajinikanth’s massive fan base and the director’s previous successes with films like Vikram. The ensemble cast and the cinematic scale have contributed to intense anticipation.

The release of Coolie marks a grand cinematic event for fans and the Indian film industry alike, symbolizing Rajinikanth’s impactful return to the silver screen with massive commercial promise and cultural resonance.