Coolie Box Office Collection The wait is over, and superstar Rajinikanth has done it again! Coolie (2025), directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has officially recorded the biggest opening day of Rajinikanth’s illustrious career. The action-packed entertainer has set box office screens on fire, raking in a staggering Rs 170 crore worldwide on its very first day. In India alone, the film netted an impressive Rs 65 crore, proving once again that the Thalaivar’s magnetic pull is unmatched in Indian cinema.
Coolie Box Office Collection: Rajinikanth Breaks His Own Records
Over the decades, Rajinikanth has delivered countless blockbuster films, with many becoming major box office successes. Films like Jailer, 2.0, and Petta had set high benchmarks, but Coolie has now surpassed all of them in terms of opening day collections. According to trade analyst Ramesh Bala and box office tracker Sacnilk, the worldwide collection of Rs 170 crore makes this the superstar’s most successful opening ever.
Rajinikanth’s unmatched fan following, spanning Tamil Nadu, other parts of India, and international markets, continues to demonstrate that he is a guaranteed crowd-puller. The actor’s mere presence in a film ensures a massive buzz and long queues at theaters—a fact clearly reflected in Coolie’s record-breaking performance.
Coolie Box Office Collection: Coolie vs Other Blockbuster Openings
In recent times, blockbuster openings have largely been dominated by stars like Shah Rukh Khan (Pathaan), Sunny Deol (Gadar 2), and Vijay (Leo). These actors have leveraged their enormous fan bases to deliver massive collections on day one. Rajinikanth’s Coolie has now firmly joined the league of these record-breaking films.
Lokesh Kanagaraj, the mastermind behind Coolie, has crafted yet another cinematic spectacle that balances star power with gripping storytelling. His previous films in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), such as Kaithi and Vikram, had also enjoyed strong openings. Kaithi amassed Rs 6.4 crore on its first day, while Vikram, starring Kamal Haasan, collected Rs 37.5 crore. Coolie has now surpassed both, underscoring Lokesh’s growing dominance in the pan-Indian action genre.
However, there is one opening day record that Coolie couldn’t surpass: Leo (2023), starring Vijay, Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Sarja, which raked in Rs 76.2 crore on its first day and went on to gross Rs 341 crore worldwide. Even so, Coolie has left a trail of Rajinikanth’s earlier blockbusters far behind.
Coolie Box Office Collection: How Coolie Surpassed Rajinikanth’s Previous Hits
Looking at Rajinikanth’s previous releases:
- Vettaiyan (TJ Gnanavel) – Rs 31.5 crore
- Jailer (Nelson Dilipkumar) – Rs 48.35 crore
- Petta (Karthik Subbaraj) – Rs 14 crore
- 2.0 (S. Shankar) – Rs 23 crore
While each of these films enjoyed a solid opening day, Coolie’s Rs 65 crore haul has effectively doubled some of these numbers. The strong performance becomes even more impressive considering that another major pan-India release, War 2, hit theaters on the same day. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, War 2 opened to mixed reviews and collected Rs 52 crore on its first day—a figure still lower than Coolie’s opening.
This head-to-head release scenario highlights the strength of Rajinikanth’s fanbase and the anticipation surrounding Coolie. Despite competition, audiences overwhelmingly chose the Thalaivar’s action extravaganza.
Audience Reception and Occupancy Rates
The enthusiasm for Coolie was evident from the consistently high occupancy rates across theaters. According to box office reports:
- Morning shows: 81.95%
- Afternoon shows: 85.13%
- Evening shows: 86.57%
- Night shows: 94.32%
The average occupancy rate stood at an impressive 86.99%, signaling packed houses throughout the day. Cinema-goers clearly flocked to witness Rajinikanth’s charisma, larger-than-life action sequences, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s signature style of intense storytelling.
Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
Coolie isn’t just about Rajinikanth—it’s a star-studded ensemble. Alongside the superstar, the film features Nagarjuna Akkineni, Aamir Khan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. Each actor brings their own energy to the film, creating a multi-layered narrative filled with action, drama, and suspense.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is known for crafting action thrillers that captivate audiences while introducing interconnected cinematic universes. With Coolie, he has successfully leveraged Rajinikanth’s charisma, combined with a dynamic supporting cast, to create a film that appeals to pan-Indian audiences.
The Pan-India Appeal
One of the biggest strengths of Coolie is its pan-India appeal. Unlike many regional films that rely solely on local fanbases, Coolie has been marketed and released across multiple languages, drawing audiences from various regions. This strategic release has contributed significantly to the film’s Rs 170 crore worldwide opening day collection.
Fans in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and beyond have shown overwhelming support. International markets, particularly in the UAE, USA, and Malaysia, have also contributed to the film’s strong global performance.
Why Coolie’s Success Matters
The success of Coolie is important for several reasons:
- Rajinikanth’s Legacy: It reinforces the superstar’s enduring appeal even decades into his career.
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Directorial Growth: It cements Lokesh’s status as one of the most bankable directors in the pan-Indian action genre.
- Box Office Confidence: Strong openings like this encourage distributors and exhibitors to continue investing in large-scale pan-India films.
- Competition with Other Releases: By outperforming War 2, Coolie has demonstrated the unmatched pull of Rajinikanth, even in a competitive market.
What’s Next for Coolie
While day one records are impressive, the coming days will determine the film’s sustained performance. Positive word-of-mouth and repeat viewership could potentially help Coolie surpass even higher benchmarks. If the trend continues, it might challenge some of the highest-grossing films in recent years, both domestically and internationally.
The film’s mixture of high-octane action, gripping drama, and a star-studded cast makes it a strong contender for weeks of packed theaters. Box office analysts are keeping a close eye on Coolie’s trajectory, and all signs point to continued success.
Final Thoughts
Coolie has opened with a bang, setting new records and proving that Rajinikanth remains a force to be reckoned with in Indian cinema. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction, combined with a stellar ensemble cast and the superstar’s magnetic screen presence, has created the perfect storm for a record-breaking theatrical debut.
From packed morning shows to sold-out night screenings, audiences are clearly embracing the film with open arms. As the days progress, it will be exciting to see how high Coolie can climb on the box office charts. For now, Rajinikanth has yet again shown why he is the undisputed Thalaivar of Indian cinema.
With Rs 65 crore net in India and Rs 170 crore worldwide, Coolie has already earned its place among the biggest opening day blockbusters of 2025. For fans and cinephiles, this is one cinematic experience not to be missed.
Also Read: Border 2 Poster Out Now: Patriotic Vibes, Nostalgia & Star Power