Coolie’ (2025) Day 1 Box Office: Rajinikanth’s Action Spectacle Opens with a Roar

August 14, 2025 marked the grand arrival of Coolie, the highly anticipated collaboration between superstar Rajinikanth and blockbuster filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj. Riding on months of hype, record-breaking advance bookings, and the advantage of the extended Independence Day weekend, the film stormed theatres worldwide in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada versions.

The Coolie First Day Collection has taken the industry by storm, delivering a thunderous opening that sets the tone for one of the year’s biggest box office runs. In this report, we bring you a complete breakdown of Coolie’s Day 1 earnings, fan reactions, and its overall impact on the film industry — all backed by verified reports from credible sources.

India Day 1 Collections — A Massive ₹65 Crore Net

According to final industry estimates (Times of India, Filmibeat, Moneycontrol), Coolie collected a staggering ₹65 crore net in India on its opening day. The language-wise split paints an interesting picture of its pan-India reach:

• Tamil: ₹45 crore
• Telugu: ₹15 crore
• Hindi: ₹4.5 crore
• Kannada: ₹0.5 crore

Early morning estimates from Sacnilk placed the figure at around ₹49.57 crore net, but as evening and night show numbers came in, the tally surged to the ₹65 crore mark.

The film benefitted from wide holiday release timing, opening in over 4,500 screens across India, with Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka leading occupancy rates.

International Performance — North America Steals the Spotlight

While the domestic opening is impressive, Coolie’s international debut was equally eye-catching.

• North America: Over $1.12 million (₹9–10 crore) in advance ticket sales before the first show even rolled out, surpassing Rajinikanth’s own Jailer premiere record.
• Worldwide Gross: Early trade projections hinted that Coolie might have crossed ₹100 crore globally on Day 1 itself, with some optimistic forecasts suggesting a possible ₹150 crore gross (Indian Express, India Today).
• Other territories such as Singapore and Malaysia saw sold-out shows, with overseas Tamil audiences treating the release as a cultural event.

Fan Frenzy — From Milk Showers to Viral Police Reels

The release of Coolie triggered scenes of celebration usually reserved for cricket World Cups or political victories in South India:

• In Chennai and several Tamil Nadu towns, fans poured milk over Rajinikanth’s cutouts, a symbolic gesture of reverence.
• Drums, fireworks, and large-scale street dancing accompanied first-day-first-show screenings, especially in front of iconic theatres like Rohini and Kasi.
• Tickets in the black market reportedly sold for ₹4,500 in Chennai, reflecting unprecedented demand.
• The craze extended globally — the Singapore Police Force even posted a humorous reel referencing the movie’s hype, which went viral among fans abroad.

Such mass-level hysteria reinforces Rajinikanth’s position as not just a film star, but a cultural phenomenon.

Clash with ‘War 2’ — and the Records Still Standing

Coolie released alongside the much-talked-about Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR starrer War 2. However, the opening day clearly tilted in Rajinikanth’s favour in India:

• Coolie: ₹65 crore net (India)
• War 2: Significantly lower opening in India, though it maintained a strong performance in Hindi-speaking markets.

That said, Coolie has not surpassed Thalapathy Vijay’s Leo in terms of opening-day record in Tamil Nadu. Critics and trade trackers noted that while the opening was phenomenal, the Leo benchmark — still the highest Day 1 collection for a Tamil film — remains intact.

North American Ranking — Breaking into the Top 10

In North America, Coolie’s premiere-day performance propelled it to the 9th highest-grossing Tamil film debut in the region, surpassing Kamal Haasan’s Vikram. Considering the high ticket prices in U.S. and Canadian metros, this milestone underlines the film’s strong overseas appeal and Rajinikanth’s enduring pull with the Tamil diaspora.

Trade Analysts Weigh In — The ₹600 Crore Question

According to trade analyst Ramesh Bala, for Coolie to be considered a clean “hit” on the industry scale, it would need to gross around ₹600 crore worldwide during its run.

Given the record advance bookings, extended holiday period, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s track record of strong repeat audience numbers (Vikram, Kaithi), this target isn’t unrealistic — but it will require sustained weekday collections beyond the initial hype.

Advance Booking Records and Pre-Release Buzz

Before its release, Coolie had already written box office history:

• Worldwide advance bookings crossed the ₹50 crore gross mark.
• In Tamil Nadu alone, thousands of early-morning shows sold out within minutes.
• North America saw over 50,000 tickets sold in advance, a record for a Tamil film in the region.

The marketing campaign — combining Rajinikanth’s persona, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s gritty action style, and a catchy musical score — ensured that buzz was at its peak before release day.

Critical Reception vs. Audience Reaction

Reviews from critics have been mixed to positive:

• Praise for Rajinikanth’s charisma, high-octane action sequences, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s stylish direction.
• Some criticism for pacing issues in the second half and predictable plot turns.

However, audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from Rajinikanth loyalists. For many fans, the film delivers exactly what they expect — a mass entertainer that blends action, style, and nostalgia.

Economic Impact — Beyond Ticket Sales

The release of Coolie has also created significant ancillary economic activity:

• Boost in local hospitality and food businesses near theatres.
• Surge in merchandise sales and themed events.
• High demand for OTT rights — with platforms reportedly in a bidding war for post-theatrical streaming rights, expected to fetch ₹100+ crore.

Outlook — What’s Next for ‘Coolie’?

If Coolie maintains momentum over the Independence Day long weekend and into the following week, it could easily enter the ₹300 crore club in under 10 days.

Its biggest tests will be:

1. Sustaining strong weekday numbers after the holiday rush.
2. Competing with upcoming big releases in late August and September.

Given Rajinikanth’s track record and the film’s repeat-watch potential, trade insiders are optimistic about Coolie being a long-runner, potentially joining the ranks of 2025’s highest earners.

Conclusion

On its opening day, the Coolie First Day Collection has delivered exactly what the makers aimed for — dominating the box office and reaffirming Rajinikanth’s unrivalled mass appeal. With ₹65 crore net in India, over ₹100 crore gross worldwide, and a cultural wave sweeping from Chennai to Chicago, the film’s debut is nothing short of spectacular.

Whether it shatters all-time records or not, Coolie has already cemented its place in 2025’s cinematic history. The coming days will determine if it becomes an all-time blockbuster — but for now, Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj can proudly celebrate a phenomenal start.

Also Read: PM Modi Wears Saffron Turban for 79th Independence Day Celebrations.