Coolie Cashes In: Rajini’s ₹216 Cr Express Leaves ‘War 2’ Waiting at the Platform”

Image Source: NDTV

In a high-voltage box office showdown, Rajinikanth’s action-packed entertainer ‘Coolie’ has surged ahead of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s spy thriller ‘War 2’, raking in a staggering ₹216 crore in just six days. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, ‘Coolie’ has not only crossed the coveted ₹200 crore mark but also emerged as the clear winner in one of the most anticipated cinematic face-offs of 2025.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the box office battle and what it means for both films:

1. Day-Wise Collection and Performance
- ‘Coolie’ opened with a thunderous ₹65 crore on August 14, followed by ₹54.75 crore on Day 2
- The momentum continued with ₹39.5 crore on Day 3, ₹35.25 crore on Day 4, and ₹12 crore on Day 5
- On Day 6 (Tuesday, August 19), the film added ₹9.5 crore, bringing its total to ₹216 crore across all languages
- In contrast, ‘War 2’ earned ₹8.25 crore on Day 6, taking its cumulative total to ₹192.75 crore
- Despite a strong start, ‘War 2’ saw a noticeable dip in weekday collections, while ‘Coolie’ maintained steady traction

2. Clash of Titans: Coolie vs War 2
- Both films released on August 14, capitalizing on the extended Independence Day and Janmashtami weekend
- ‘Coolie’, headlined by Rajinikanth as Deva, drew massive crowds in Tamil Nadu and southern states, with the Tamil version outperforming others
- ‘War 2’, directed by Ayan Mukerji and featuring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, had a pan-India release but faced mixed reviews
- The spy thriller, part of YRF’s Spy Universe, opened strong but failed to sustain momentum beyond the weekend
- ‘Coolie’ benefited from Lokesh Kanagaraj’s fanbase and Rajinikanth’s enduring mass appeal, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities

3. Audience Reception and Regional Impact
- ‘Coolie’ received mixed-to-positive reviews, with audiences praising Rajinikanth’s charisma and Kanagaraj’s stylized action sequences
- The film’s emotional beats and nostalgic callbacks to Rajini’s earlier roles resonated with longtime fans
- ‘War 2’, while visually slick and packed with star power, struggled to connect with audiences beyond metro circuits
- The ₹99 ticket offer for ‘War 2’ failed to boost weekday footfalls, indicating limited repeat viewership

4. Industry Buzz and Trade Reactions
- Trade analysts are calling ‘Coolie’ a blockbuster in the making, with projections suggesting it could cross ₹300 crore by the end of its second week
- The film’s performance has reaffirmed Rajinikanth’s box office dominance, even in the face of younger competition
- Distributors and exhibitors are increasing screen counts for ‘Coolie’ in regions where ‘War 2’ is underperforming
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s directorial streak continues, following hits like ‘Vikram’ and ‘Kaithi’, cementing his reputation as a bankable filmmaker

5. What’s Next for Both Films
- ‘Coolie’ is expected to maintain strong weekday numbers, especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka
- Overseas collections are also climbing, with strong showings in the UAE, Singapore, and Malaysia
- ‘War 2’ may see a rebound over the weekend, but faces stiff competition from upcoming releases
- With both films completing one week at the box office on August 20, the final tally will determine long-term success and sequel potential

Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ has not only delivered a box office knockout but also reignited the magic of mass cinema. As the numbers climb and fans celebrate, one thing is clear: Thalaivar still rules the screen.

Sources: Times Now, MSN India, Times of India, Hindustan Times.