Rajinikanth’s action-packed film Coolie has taken the box office by storm, earning over 193 crore rupees in India within four days of its August 14, 2025 release. Despite facing tough competition from Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s spy thriller War 2, Coolie led the opening weekend and now heads toward the 200 crore mark domestically.
Strong Start for Coolie Amid Clash
Coolie opened on Independence Day with massive fan excitement across Tamil Nadu and other regions. Fans danced in theaters and celebrated the release like a festival, boosting its early numbers.
The movie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, features Rajinikanth in a high-energy role that has drawn crowds. It collected 65 crore on day one, setting a high bar. War 2, a sequel in the spy universe, started with 51 crore but could not match Coolie’s momentum.
Early trends showed Coolie leading in advance bookings, especially in international markets like the US, where it grossed over 3.9 million dollars in premieres. This global appeal helped it outperform expectations.
Day-Wise Breakdown of Coolie’s Earnings
Coolie maintained strong performance through the weekend, even with a slight dip on Sunday. Trade analysts note that family audiences and repeat viewers kept theaters packed.
Here is a detailed day-wise collection in India net (all languages combined):
| Day | Collection (in crore) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Thursday) | 65 | Highest opener, driven by Tamil and Telugu versions |
| Day 2 (Friday) | 55 | Boost from positive word-of-mouth |
| Day 3 (Saturday) | 39 | Weekend surge in urban centers |
| Day 4 (Sunday) | 34 | Slight drop but still ahead of rivals |
| Total | 193 | On track for 200 crore by day 5 |
The Tamil version led with about 127 crore total, followed by Telugu at 45 crore. Hindi and Kannada added smaller shares, showing wide regional appeal.
Experts predict Coolie will cross 200 crore by Monday, thanks to steady weekday holds. This success builds on Rajinikanth’s track record, like his previous hits that crossed similar milestones quickly.
How Coolie Outpaced War 2
War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, features high-octane action with Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. It earned 174 crore in four days but fell short of Coolie’s pace.
Coolie beat War 2 by about 20 crore over the weekend. Factors include Rajinikanth’s star power in South India and better screen allocation in key areas.
In overseas markets, Coolie grossed around 100 crore worldwide in the first weekend, compared to War 2’s 80 crore. US ticket sales for Coolie were nearly three times higher.
Both films released on the same day, creating a buzzworthy clash. While War 2 appealed to Hindi audiences, Coolie dominated in Tamil and Telugu belts.
This rivalry echoes past box office battles, like when South Indian films challenged Bollywood releases during holidays.
Factors Driving Coolie’s Success
Several elements contributed to Coolie’s strong run. The film’s mass appeal, with action sequences and Rajinikanth’s charisma, resonated with fans.
Positive reviews praised the direction and soundtrack, leading to high occupancy rates above 70 percent in many theaters.
Marketing played a big role, with trailers generating millions of views online. Social media buzz, including fan videos from theater celebrations, amplified its reach.
Compared to recent releases, Coolie’s opening weekend ranks among the top for 2025, surpassing films like those from other superstars.
Economic factors, such as holiday timing, helped both movies, but Coolie’s regional strength gave it an edge.
What Lies Ahead for Both Films
Coolie is poised for a long run, with projections of 500 crore worldwide if it sustains momentum. War 2 aims for 400 crore, banking on its spy thriller genre.
Industry watchers say word-of-mouth will decide their final tallies. Coolie’s lead could grow in the coming weeks.
This clash highlights the growing pan-India appeal of films, blending South and North stars.
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