Coolie’s $55 Million Triumph Shows Rajinikanth’s Undying Box Office Magic

Rajinikanth’s Tamil action thriller Coolie has emerged as one of the biggest box office hits of 2025 in India and worldwide. The film has collected nearly $55 million (approximately Rs 450 crore) globally by its second week, securing the third spot among top-grossing Indian films of the year. Despite mixed reviews, Coolie’s star power and pan-India appeal have driven its commercial success amid stiff competition.

 

Opening With a Bang: Initial Box Office Surge

Coolie released on August 14, 2025, coinciding with the release of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2. Rajinikanth’s charisma helped Coolie clock one of the biggest openings of the year, with an opening day collection of Rs 65 crore across India, especially shining in Tamil Nadu. The film hit Rs 194.5 crore within the first four days, showcasing a strong opening weekend that launched it into blockbuster territory early on.

 

Sustained Earnings and Competition

Following a sharp dip on the first Monday, Coolie steadied in its second week with weekends providing boosts in collections. While daily earnings decreased on weekdays, the film crossed Rs 500 crore worldwide by day 12, becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025. Comparatively, War 2 trailed behind domestically, though it showed steady growth.

 

Coolie’s Multi-Lingual Appeal

Though a Tamil-language film, Coolie’s dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada helped it gain widespread recognition beyond the south Indian states. The Hindi version alone contributed over Rs 26 crore to domestic collections, reinforcing the film’s pan-India success.

 

Cast and Crew Making an Impact

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie features Rajinikanth as Deva, a former union leader who battles a crime syndicate after his friend’s suspicious death. The ensemble cast includes Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan. The music by Anirudh Ravichander and technical crew received praise even as the storyline faced criticism.

 

What the Critics and Fans Are Saying

Critics gave mixed reviews, appreciating Rajinikanth’s commanding screen presence and soundtrack while pointing out a predictable storyline. However, audiences and fans flocked to theatres, proving the superstar’s unmatched pull and the film’s entertainment value.

 

Future Potential and Records

Despite the recent decline in daily collections, trade analysts believe the film could approach Rs 300 crore net domestically if weekend trends hold. It currently ranks as Rajinikanth’s third highest-grossing film in India behind 2.0 and Jailer. Coolie is also the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 overseas, showing the international fanbase’s enthusiasm.

 

Summary of Box Office Figures

Conclusion: Coolie Continues To Cement Rajinikanth’s Legacy

Rajinikanth’s Coolie showcases the superstar’s enduring box office appeal and the audience’s love for his style of cinema. It has broken records and strengthened Tamil cinema’s presence on the global stage while offering mass entertainment in a competitive year. Fans eagerly await future collaborations from the actor and director Lokesh Kanagaraj.

 

Sources: Wikipedia, Financial Express, Koimoi, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Forbes, Economic Times