'Coolie' sparks Rajinikanth frenzy with record advance ticket sales

The film's release date also coincides with Rajinikanth’s golden jubilee in cinema — marking 50 years since his debut in Apoorva Raagangal, which was theatrically released on August 14, 1975.

Chennai: Advance ticket bookings crossing Rs 65 crore in just two days, no tickets available for first four days, plans to shower petals from a helicopter, and many companies announcing a holiday on August 14, 2025 – the thiruvizha (celebrations) around the release of a superstar Rajinikanth movie is back. 

Coolie, directed by acclaimed new-age filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has previously delivered massive hits with Kamal Haasan and Vijay, is poised to break several records, including those set by earlier movies of the superstar with the Rajinikanth frenzy reaching unprecedented levels.

The film boasting a high-profile cast including Bollywood’s Aamir Khan, Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, and Kannada cinema’s Upendra, and the absence of a pan-India release in the Tamil film industry in recent times, combined with Rajinikanth’s soaring popularity, are key reasons cited for the excitement around Coolie. 

With a production budget of around Rs 300 crores, Coolie’s release date also coincides with Rajinikanth’s golden jubilee in cinema — marking 50 years since his debut in Apoorva Raagangal, which was theatrically released on August 14, 1975.

Amid the Rajinikanth fever, several companies such as Madurai-based Uno Aqua Care, Chennai-based ParkQwik, and Singapore’s Farmer Construction Pvt Limited have declared August 14 as a holiday.

Bankrolled by media baron Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures, Coolie is expected to release on approximately 4,500 to 5,000 screens across about 100 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the US, and Europe.

As many as 980 screens in Tamil Nadu alone are slated to show the film on Thursday. Bookings that opened in theatres other than multiplexes were sold out from August 14 to August 17 within hours. Multiplex bookings are expected to start by Tuesday. This high demand is mirrored in states like Kerala and Karnataka, where ticket sales have also surged dramatically.

Film trackers have indicated that advance ticket bookings for Coolie, including in overseas markets, could reach the Rs 100 crore mark -- a record in itself -- given that Rs 65 crore worth of tickets were sold as of Monday, with three more days remaining before release.

To commemorate Rajinikanth’s 50 years in cinema, the producers have decided to add an approximately 40sec video featuring a special title card honouring the superstar. This tribute is expected to showcase various facets of Rajinikanth’s illustrious career over the past half-century. Fans know the current title card, introduced in the 1992 film Annamalai, which frequently elicits rapturous applause in theatres.

Industry analyst and film journalist Bharat Kumar said Rajinikanth’s aura has grown exponentially in recent years and the combination of actors from all southern states, along with a star from North India, has generated significant buzz.

The producers aim for Coolie to be a pan-India hit -- a milestone that has so far been elusive for the Tamil film industry -- similar to how Sandalwood had KGF and Kantara, and Tollywood had Baahubali and RRR. 

“The expectations are massive. Tickets for the Independence Day weekend are selling out within hours, and the fact that Rajinikanth is celebrating fifty years in cinema has only heightened anticipation among fans and the general public,” Bharat Kumar told DH.

Rajini fan clubs worldwide are planning to make the Coolie release a memorable occasion. Some fan groups have even hired helicopters to shower flower petals over the Rohini Multiplex Theatre, where all five screens are expected to premiere Coolie on Thursday morning. 

Grand celebrations are also planned at the Albert and Kasi theatres in Chennai. At the Albert Theatre, festivities will begin on Wednesday evening with the felicitation of some of the earliest members of Rajinikanth fan club associations. 

“We felt this is the perfect time to honour the senior members of fan clubs who have supported Rajinikanth since the late 1970s. This is not just a movie release but a celebration of Rajinikanth’s iconic swag,” said a fan club president.