Rajinikanth’s Coolie Roars Past ₹150 Crore Worldwide on Day One, Leaving Rivals in the Dust

The much-anticipated Tamil action spectacle Coolie, headlined by superstar Rajinikanth and helmed by blockbuster director Lokesh Kanagaraj, has taken the global box office by storm. In a single day, the film has amassed an estimated ₹150 crore worldwide, instantly securing its place among the biggest openers in Indian cinema history.

A Festival Release That Paid Off

Released on the eve of Independence Day, Coolie had everything going for it—Rajinikanth’s evergreen charisma, a celebrated director, and the holiday spirit that often turns film releases into cultural events. The film reportedly raked in around ₹65 crore in India alone on its opening day, an extraordinary feat that demonstrates the sheer pull of “Thalaivar” even after decades in the industry.

Overseas Domination

If the domestic numbers were spectacular, the international response was equally jaw-dropping. Coolie became the fastest Tamil film to surpass the $3 million milestone in the United States, with sold-out premiere shows and feverish demand in key overseas markets like the Middle East, Singapore, and Australia. Early estimates suggest that pre-sales and premiere earnings abroad contributed significantly to the ₹150 crore global total.

Advance Booking Frenzy

The road to this record-breaking debut was paved weeks earlier, with advance bookings smashing industry expectations. Globally, Coolie crossed the ₹100 crore mark in ticket sales before a single frame hit the big screen. In North America alone, advance sales exceeded $2 million, setting a new high for Tamil cinema and hinting at the tsunami that was to come.

The Numbers Game

Industry trackers estimate that the film’s total worldwide opening-day gross could range between ₹155 and ₹165 crore once all territories are accounted for. This puts Coolie in the same league as the opening weekends of some of Bollywood’s and Tollywood’s largest productions—and in certain metrics, ahead of them.

Clash of the Titans

Coolie’s release coincided with War 2, an action drama starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. While War 2 had a strong showing with an estimated ₹52–53 crore domestic opening, Coolie’s momentum clearly overshadowed its competitor. In key markets, occupancy rates for Coolie were significantly higher, with Tamil and Telugu screenings running at near-full capacity throughout the day.

Occupancy and Regional Trends

By afternoon on release day, Coolie’s net box office collection in India had already reached nearly ₹39 crore, while its rival trailed behind. In Tamil Nadu, occupancy rates topped 80% across most theatres, with several cities hitting 100% in prime-time slots. The Telugu-dubbed version also enjoyed a strong start, while the Hindi version had more moderate turnout—though still respectable for a dubbed southern film.

Fan Frenzy and Cultural Impact

The release of a Rajinikanth film is never just about the numbers—it’s a festival in itself. Fans gathered outside theatres as early as midnight, some setting off fireworks, others showering massive cutouts of the superstar with milk and flowers in a traditional Tamil “paal abhishekam” ritual. Social media platforms were flooded with celebratory posts, nostalgic clips from Rajinikanth’s earlier films, and playful jabs at rival releases.

Setting the Stage for a Massive Run

Trade experts predict that if the current momentum continues, Coolie could easily surpass the ₹600 crore mark globally within its theatrical run, and possibly challenge the rare ₹1000 crore milestone if overseas collections remain strong. With positive word-of-mouth and repeat viewings already in play, the film seems poised for a historic run.