Rajinikanth’s Coolie Roars at Box Office but Falls Prey to Piracy Within Hours

The Tamil film industry’s latest spectacle, Coolie, opened to thunderous applause and record-breaking crowds this Independence Day. With superstar Rajinikanth in the lead and Lokesh Kanagaraj at the helm, the film was always expected to be a mammoth release. It delivered in style—high-octane action, slick visuals, and a cast that reads like a festival poster: Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Upendra, among others.

From the moment the opening credits rolled, theaters erupted with whistles, cheers, and celebrations that felt more like a carnival than a film screening. Rajinikanth’s portrayal of Deva, a seasoned gangster navigating the treacherous world of old rivals and new threats, had fans hooked from start to finish. Anirudh Ravichander’s pounding background score elevated each fight sequence, drawing audiences deeper into the cinematic world.

Historic Opening Day Numbers

The film’s commercial performance mirrored its on-screen energy. Industry sources reported that Coolie raked in over ₹40 crore in advance bookings alone, even before its first public screening. By the end of Day 1, collections had soared past ₹55 crore, with early trends suggesting that the ₹100 crore milestone could be crossed within 24 hours—a staggering figure even by Tamil cinema’s star-driven standards.

Such numbers reflected more than just Rajinikanth’s box office dominance. It was also the result of smart marketing, fan-led social media hype, and the strategic Independence Day release window, which gave audiences the perfect holiday excuse to flock to cinemas.

Piracy Strikes Early

But even as fans filled multiplexes and single screens, trouble began brewing online. Within mere hours of its grand release, pirated versions of Coolie started appearing on illegal websites, torrent platforms, and even private messaging groups. What shocked many was the variety in these leaks—grainy camcorder recordings sat alongside suspiciously high-quality 1080p rips, all freely accessible to those seeking them.

This rapid spread triggered outrage among cinema lovers, many of whom took to social media to condemn piracy and urge others to watch the film in theaters. The sentiment was clear: watching a pirated version was not only illegal but also an insult to the thousands of artists and technicians who had poured years of work into making Coolie.

Legal Measures Already in Motion

Aware of the high stakes, the film’s producers had already approached the courts ahead of the release. The Madras High Court had issued an order instructing Internet Service Providers to block access to a list of known piracy portals. This legal shield aimed to prevent early leaks, but the swiftness and sophistication of piracy networks meant that some damage was inevitable.

Despite these challenges, the team behind Coolie is reportedly working with cybercrime authorities to identify the sources of the leaks and take down as many illegal links as possible. While such actions rarely eliminate piracy entirely, they help curb its scale and protect a film’s revenue during its crucial first week.

Fans Rally Behind Theaters

The heartening part of this episode has been the loyalty of Rajinikanth’s massive fan base. Many fan associations, both in India and overseas, launched their own campaigns to combat piracy by flooding timelines with positive reviews, behind-the-scenes trivia, and videos of theater celebrations. Their message was consistent: the magic of Coolie lies in watching it on the big screen, surrounded by cheering crowds, not through a stolen file on a small device.

The Larger Piracy Problem

Piracy remains a persistent thorn in the side of the global film industry, but its impact is particularly damaging to high-budget Indian releases. For movies like Coolie, which are designed as theatrical spectacles, early leaks can dent box office earnings, undermine months of marketing effort, and even affect overseas distribution deals. Industry veterans have repeatedly called for stronger laws, faster takedown mechanisms, and more awareness campaigns to address the issue.

Box Office Momentum Still Strong

Thankfully, Coolie’s theatrical run remains strong despite the setback. Advance bookings for the weekend remain robust, and word-of-mouth reviews continue to draw audiences. With Rajinikanth’s unparalleled charisma, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s tight direction, and a script loaded with high-stakes drama, the film seems poised to withstand the piracy hit—at least in the short term.

For now, Coolie is not just another Rajinikanth release—it’s a reminder of why the theatrical experience still matters, and why protecting cinema from piracy is a fight worth continuing.