Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming action thriller Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is already making waves months before its August 14, 2025, release. In a jaw-dropping deal, the film’s overseas theatrical rights have reportedly been sold for a staggering ₹80 crore, setting a new benchmark for Tamil cinema. This massive pre-release business underscores Rajinikanth’s global appeal and the sky-high hype for this pan-Indian spectacle. Here’s why Coolie’s overseas deal is the talk of the town and what it means for the film’s box office prospects.
A Historic Deal for Tamil Cinema
The ₹80 crore overseas rights deal, as reported by multiple industry sources, marks the highest-ever pre-release international sale for a Rajinikanth film and one of the biggest for any Tamil movie. While some reports peg the figure at ₹68 crore to Ayngaran International, others claim offers touched ₹80-81 crore, with negotiations still buzzing. Either way, it’s a record-breaker, dwarfing Rajinikanth’s previous high of ₹35 crore for Jailer (2023) and ranking just behind Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan (₹75 crore) among Tamil films. This deal covers Tamil and Telugu rights, reflecting Coolie’s strong draw in both markets.
The numbers speak to Rajinikanth’s enduring charisma and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s hot streak after hits like Vikram and Leo. Distributors are betting big on Coolie’s potential to pull crowds in key overseas markets like the US, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Telugu-speaking regions. Posts found on social media platforms are buzzing with excitement, with fans calling it a “new benchmark for Kollywood” and hyping the “Superstar fever” set to storm global theaters.
Why the Hype? The Coolie Magic
Coolie is shaping up to be a mass entertainer with a killer cast and crew. Rajinikanth, rumored to play a character with negative shades, leads alongside Nagarjuna Akkineni as the main villain, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Soubin Shahir. Aamir Khan’s cameo in the climax adds pan-Indian star power, while Pooja Hegde sizzles in a dance number. Produced by Sun Pictures on a hefty ₹375 crore budget (including prints and advertising), the film promises gritty action, stylish visuals, and Anirudh Ravichander’s electrifying music—early singles are already chart-toppers.
Set against the backdrop of a gold smuggling mafia, Coolie blends Lokesh’s signature cinematic universe flair with Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life persona. The teaser, showcasing Rajinikanth wielding gold chains as weapons, set the internet ablaze, and pre-release events planned in Chennai (July) and Hyderabad (August) are fueling the frenzy. The film’s strategic focus on Telugu markets, where Jailer and Leo crushed it, has boosted its overseas value, with Nagarjuna’s US fan base adding extra pull.
The Catch: A Clash with War 2
Here’s the twist: Coolie’s Independence Day release pits it against War 2, the YRF Spy Universe juggernaut starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani. This clash has sparked heated fan debates and reportedly capped Coolie’s overseas deal from hitting even higher numbers. Industry insiders say the War 2 competition, especially Jr. NTR’s Telugu draw, made distributors cautious in some territories. Still, ₹80 crore is a massive win, and Coolie’s producers are in a safe zone, having recovered ₹230-240 crore from satellite, digital (rumored at ₹120 crore to Amazon Prime Video), and music rights.
To break even overseas, Coolie needs to gross around ₹25 million internationally—a tall order, as no Tamil film has hit that mark yet. But with Rajinikanth’s loyal diaspora fan base and Lokesh’s youth appeal, trade analysts are optimistic. The film’s release in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, plus IMAX formats, gives it a wide net to cast.
What’s Next for Coolie?
The overseas deal is just the start. Tamil Nadu theatrical rights are rumored to be nearing ₹200 crore, while Telugu rights are being quoted at ₹50-70 crore, with Sun Pictures holding out for top dollar. Rajinikanth’s reported ₹150-280 crore paycheck and Lokesh’s ₹50 crore fee reflect the film’s ambition to be a game-changer. If word-of-mouth is strong, Coolie could aim for the ₹1000 crore global club—a first for Tamil cinema—though it’ll need to win over Hindi audiences to get there.
Fans are pumped, with social media posts hyping Coolie as a “landmark” for Indian cinema. The film’s mix of star power, Lokesh’s action-packed vision, and Anirudh’s beats has distributors and audiences betting big. Whether it can outshine War 2 and justify its massive pre-release hype remains the million-dollar question.
Final Take: Rajinikanth Rules the Globe
Coolie’s ₹80 crore overseas deal is a testament to Rajinikanth’s unmatched star power and Coolie’s blockbuster potential. It’s not just a movie; it’s a cultural event set to dominate screens worldwide on August 14, 2025. Despite the War 2 clash, the Thalaiva-Lokesh combo has already rewritten Kollywood history with this record-breaking sale. Will Coolie deliver the goods and cement Rajinikanth’s legacy as Asia’s box office king? Grab your tickets early—this one’s gonna be a wild ride.
Source: OTTPlay