Coolie Box Office Shock: Rajinikanth’s Independence Day Earnings Drop but Thalaiva Set to Break All-Time Tamil Cinema Records
From Day 2 Setback to ₹200 Crore Weekend: How Rajinikanth’s Coolie is Redefining Tamil Box Office History
Rajinikanth’s much-awaited film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stormed into theaters with a massive opening and quickly established itself as one of the most talked-about films of 2025. The gangster-thriller, starring Rajinikanth alongside Nagarjuna and Shruti Haasan, was riding high on hype and fan frenzy, setting the stage for a record-breaking performance at the box office. Released just before Independence Day, expectations were sky-high, with trade analysts predicting a phenomenal four-day weekend.
However, the film faced an unexpected twist on its second day. Despite the national holiday on August 15, the earnings of Coolie dipped significantly compared to its opening day. This decline came as a surprise, especially given Rajinikanth’s unmatched stardom and the buzz surrounding the movie. Yet, even with this drop, the film remains a box office powerhouse, rapidly climbing the charts of Tamil cinema’s biggest blockbusters.
Within just two days, Coolie has entered the coveted 100-crore club in India, collecting ₹118.50 crores at the domestic box office. While Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2, which released a day later, has posed stiff competition, Rajinikanth’s Coolie continues to hold a stronger overall lead. The film’s journey promises not just box office fireworks but also a historic moment in Tamil cinema, as Thalaiva marks his 50th year in the industry with this grand spectacle.
Coolie Day 2 Box Office Report
On its opening day, Coolie collected a massive ₹65 crore across India. However, the numbers fell on Friday, with the film earning ₹53.50 crore. This decline raised eyebrows, particularly because the second day coincided with the Independence Day holiday, which usually drives bigger numbers for big releases.
Breaking down the regional performance, the Tamil version suffered the sharpest fall. On Thursday, collections from Tamil Nadu and other Tamil-speaking states stood at ₹44.50 crore, which dropped to ₹33.50 crore on Friday. Despite this, the Hindi version showed growth. From ₹4.5 crore on opening day, the Hindi collections rose to ₹6.50 crore on the second day, indicating strong word-of-mouth among North Indian audiences.
Competition with War 2
While Coolie dominated its opening day, the entry of War 2 on Friday created a tough box office battle. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, War 2 managed to pull in ₹108 crore within two days. Though slightly behind Coolie’s ₹118.50 crore, the difference highlights the competitive atmosphere between the two films. Industry experts believe that both films will continue to benefit from the extended weekend, but Coolie’s strong Tamil fan base gives it a distinct advantage.
Coolie’s Place in 2025 Tamil Cinema Rankings
Coolie is not just another Rajinikanth film; it is his 171st outing and coincides with his golden jubilee year in cinema. The film has already rewritten record books by becoming the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 within just two days.
Here are the top five Tamil films of 2025 so far:
- Good Bad Ugly – ₹153.75 crore
- Coolie – ₹118.50 crore
- Dragon – ₹102.55 crore
- Vidmujharchi – ₹81.58 crore
- Tourist Family – ₹61.59 crore
With its trajectory, Coolie is expected to surpass Good Bad Ugly soon, possibly as early as Saturday, and secure the number-one spot for the year. This also pushed Surya’s Retro out of the list of top five grossers in Tamil cinema for 2025.
Earnings Outlook for the Weekend
The real test for Coolie begins with the weekend. With a four-day extended run due to Independence Day, Saturday and Sunday are expected to deliver massive numbers. Industry trackers estimate that Coolie will comfortably cross ₹200 crore at the Indian box office by the end of its first weekend.
Rajinikanth’s loyal fan following, combined with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s gripping narrative style, ensures that the movie retains strong momentum in the coming days. Given its current pace, the film might also enter the all-time top grossers of Tamil cinema within its first week.
Conclusion
Despite facing a setback on its second day, Coolie remains a phenomenal success story for Rajinikanth and Tamil cinema. The dip in collections on Independence Day was surprising, but the film’s overall dominance and rapid entry into the 100-crore club prove its unstoppable momentum. With the weekend ahead, Coolie is poised to shatter records and cement Rajinikanth’s legacy as the undisputed king of box office supremacy.
As the battle between Coolie and War 2 intensifies, fans and trade experts alike eagerly await the final numbers. But one thing is certain — Rajinikanth’s Coolie is not just a movie; it is a cinematic celebration marking half a century of Thalaiva’s reign in Indian cinema.
FAQs
Q1. What is the total box office collection of Rajinikanth’s Coolie in two days?
Coolie has collected ₹118.50 crore at the Indian box office within its first two days.
Q2. Did Coolie earn more than War 2 on its second day?
No, War 2 outperformed Coolie on its second day, but Rajinikanth’s film still leads in total earnings after two days.
Q3. Why did Coolie’s earnings drop on Independence Day?
The Tamil version saw a decline in collections, leading to an overall dip, though the Hindi version recorded growth.
Q4. What budget was Coolie made on?
The film was made on a massive budget of ₹400 crore.
Q5. Will Coolie cross ₹200 crore in its first weekend?
Yes, industry analysts predict that Coolie will surpass ₹200 crore by the end of its four-day weekend.
