Rajinikanth's Coolie Draws Big Pre-Release Momentum Ahead of War 2

Rajinikanth’s Coolie is surfing a surge of pre-release momentum that has industry observers projecting a blockbuster opening, even as it clashes at the box office with War 2. Early estimates place worldwide advance bookings for Coolie at roughly Rs 108 crore on opening day, supported by a strong India contribution of about Rs 52 crore and overseas bookings around Rs 56 crore. Four days of pre-release grosses are expected to approach Rs 130 crore globally, underscoring a level of anticipation not seen for a Tamil-language film in recent years. The numbers come alongside exhaustive presales and a social media frenzy that has turned the weeks preceding release into a festival of fan excitement.

The film, produced by Sun Pictures and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, pairs Rajinikanth with a high-profile ensemble that includes Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, and Soubin Shahir, with Aamir Khan making a special appearance. Made on a reported budget of Rs 350-400 crore, Coolie is being pitched as a pan-India spectacle that aims to ride Rajinikanth’s extraordinary star power into a robust domestic run and a strong international show. The release also marks a significant moment for Kanagaraj’s...