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“Coolie Movie Review & Day 1 Box Office: Rajinikanth’s 2025 Blockbuster Breaks Records with Unstoppable Fan Frenzy”
The wait is finally over—Rajinikanth’s Coolie has hit theatres today (August 14, 2025), and the excitement across India and overseas is at an all-time high. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, this action-packed drama has already rewritten record books even before release. With mind-blowing advance bookings, stellar casts, and a nostalgic throwback to vintage Rajini swagger, Coolie is shaping up to be not just a movie, but a cinematic celebration.
Star-Studded Cast & Crew Behind Coolie
Coolie boasts one of the most power-packed ensembles in modern Tamil cinema:
- Rajinikanth as Deva (Central Protagonist)
- Aamir Khan (Special Guest Appearance)
- Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and Soubin Shahir in pivotal roles
- Directed & Written by Lokesh Kanagaraj
- Music by Anirudh Ravichander
- Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan
- Editing by Philomin Raj
Lokesh brings together his signature Loki Cinematic Universe (LCU) style of tight action choreography with star-driven entertainment, aiming to strike a balance between mass appeal and cinematic craft.
Historic Advance Booking Records
Even before the first public show, Coolie redefined advance booking history:
- ₹41 Crore+ collected in Day 1 pre-sales across India (as per industry tracker Sacnilk).
- 17+ lakh tickets sold in advance domestically.
- First Tamil film to cross $2 million in North American pre-sales, beating previous records set by Vikram and Ponniyin Selvan.
- Corporate offices and even some overseas organizations granted ‘Coolie leave’ to employees—proving Rajini’s unmatched cultural pull.
Coolie Movie Plot (Spoiler-Free)
Set against the gritty backdrop of Chennai’s harbor area, Coolie follows Deva, a man who runs a hostel but carries a concealed and turbulent past. When exploitation and corruption threaten the livelihoods of dock workers, Deva is forced to confront ruthless smuggler Simon and an underground network tied to a personal tragedy from his past.
The story blends:
- Mass Entertainer Elements – Heroic dialogues, slow-motion entries, high-octane action.
- Emotional Core – Deva’s loyalty towards his deceased friend Rajasekhar and his two orphaned daughters.
- Mystery Layer – Hidden truths about Deva’s history and motives.
Rajinikanth’s Performance: A Vintage Comeback
Fans and critics agree—Rajinikanth’s screen presence in Coolie is magnetic.
- Dialogue delivery brings back memories of his 80s and 90s signature style.
- Action sequences are energetic despite Rajini’s age, thanks to brilliant stunt choreography by Anbariv.
- Emotional scenes, especially the ones with child actors, show his softer, paternal side.
Direction & Screenplay Review
Lokesh Kanagaraj tries to fuse mass masala entertainment with layered storytelling. While the first half takes time to build momentum, the interval punch and second-half action win over the audience.
However, some viewers note that the screenplay borrows shades from Vikram, leading to a “LCU déjà vu.” Yet, Rajini’s charisma and fan-service moments overshadow any repetitiveness.
Music, BGM & Technical Brilliance
- Anirudh Ravichander’s Background Score: The heartbeat of Coolie, heightening fight sequences and emotional peaks.
- Songs: All situational; none feel forced into the story.
- Cinematography: Shades of industrial grunge mixed with bright festival visuals.
- Editing: Sharp post-interval but slightly sluggish in the early portions.
Coolie Movie Rating Summary
| Source | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Times of India | 3.5 / 5 | Thrilling Rajini ride |
| 123Telugu.com | 3.0 / 5 | For fans, worth a watch |
| Audience Twitter Avg | 3.5 / 5 | Mass + emotional package |
Box Office Live Day 1 Updates
- Morning Shows: Nearly housefull occupancy in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and AP/Telangana.
- Afternoon Shows: Overseas collections climbing rapidly; Gulf and Malaysian markets strong.
- Projected Day 1 Gross (India): ₹44-46 Crore.
- Global Opening Day Projection: ₹70 Crore+.
Public & Social Media Reactions
- Massive cheer for Rajini’s intro scene—lasting nearly 5 minutes.
- Aamir Khan cameo in the climax receives a thunderous response.
- “LCU” references hint at future crossovers with other Lokesh films.
- Emotional climax is being praised for old-school Tamil heroism.
Image via twitter
Why Coolie Stands Out in 2025
Coolie isn’t just a Rajinikanth movie—it’s a fan festival. From creating global pre-sale records to uniting fans across countries, this film demonstrates the enduring star power of Rajini while pushing the boundaries of Tamil cinema’s box office reach.
Final Verdict
For die-hard Rajini fans, Coolie is a must-watch celebration of their Superstar blended with Lokesh’s stylish direction. For others, it’s an engaging one-time watch filled with powerful dialogues, rousing background score, and moments of mass euphoria.
Final Average Rating: ★★★⭐☆ (3.5/5)
Best Viewed: In theatres with a cheering crowd
Genre: Action Drama / Mass Entertainer