The anticipation for Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film, Coolie, has reached a fever pitch, with the movie breaking records even before its official release. Directed by the talented Lokesh Kanagaraj, this action-packed thriller is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on August 14, 2025. This powerful collaboration between two giants of Indian cinema has fans buzzing and critics taking notice. While the film has generated a lot of speculation about its place in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), Kanagaraj himself has firmly stated that Coolie is a standalone project, a unique narrative crafted specifically to highlight the superstar’s charisma and action prowess.

Director Kanagaraj, who now commands a fee of ₹50 crore per project, has earned his success through his impressive filmography, which includes hits like Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo. His latest project, Coolie, is already showing signs of a blockbuster run, with advance bookings opening to an unprecedented response. The film has reportedly already earned ₹50 crore in pre-sales, an astonishing feat that underscores the immense excitement surrounding this release.

Fan Theories and The LCU Connection

Despite Kanagaraj’s public statements, fan theories about a potential LCU connection for Coolie continue to swirl online. The trailers and the “Monica” song, for example, feature supporting characters who previously appeared in Kaithi. Furthermore, the plot’s focus on containers and a harbor setting seems to echo a specific scene from Kaithi where containers are mentioned. These subtle connections have fueled speculation, leaving fans to wonder if Kanagaraj might have a surprise in store.

The movie’s lyricist, Vishnu Edavan, even added fuel to the fire in a recent interview, cryptically stating, “We can’t say the movie is not connected with LCU, but there is.” This statement has only intensified the audience’s hype and made the film’s narrative one of the most talked-about topics on the internet.

Interestingly, the film has also received an ‘A’ certificate from the CBFC, a rare occurrence for a Rajinikanth film. Fans are interpreting this as a sign that Kanagaraj has stayed true to his raw, gritty filmmaking style, without compromising on the level of action and violence. This adds another layer of intrigue to the film, as it promises to deliver a different kind of experience for both Rajinikanth and LCU fans.

Coolie Cast, Characters, and Riveting Plot

Coolie boasts a star-studded cast that ensures its pan-Indian appeal. Rajinikanth plays the lead character, Deva, a mysterious man fighting against a corrupt syndicate involved in gold smuggling. This revenge-tinged action-thriller promises high-octane sequences and intense confrontations. Telugu superstar Nagarjuna takes on the role of the main antagonist, Simon, while Aamir Khan also makes a special cameo with negative shades. This impressive lineup, which also includes Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, and Sathyaraj, guarantees powerful performances and a captivating narrative. The film’s musical score by Anirudh Ravichander has already created a buzz, with his energetic tunes promising to elevate the on-screen action, and he even publicly admitted to using AI to overcome a creative block while composing a song for the film.

The project ensures a grand scale and high production value. Girish Gangadharan, known for his gritty and realistic visuals in films like Jallikattu and Vikram, handles the cinematography, promising stunning shots that capture the raw atmosphere of the port town. For the action, the renowned stunt duo Anbariv, frequent collaborators of Kanagaraj, have choreographed the sequences. Their signature style of grounded and brutal action will deliver the high-octane fight scenes that audiences have come to expect. Philomin Raj, another close associate of Kanagaraj, takes on editing duties, guaranteeing a sharp and engaging pace.

Record-Shattering Advance Bookings

The film’s pre-release performance at the box office is nothing short of spectacular. Coolie has shattered advance booking records, particularly in North America, becoming the fastest Tamil movie to cross the $1 million mark in pre-sales. As of August 5, 2025, the North American pre-sales had already exceeded $1.12 million, with the U.S. market alone contributing approximately $969,551 from over 37,000 tickets sold.

This remarkable international performance signals the immense anticipation for the Rajinikanth-Lokesh Kanagaraj collaboration. In India, the film also started its domestic run with a bang, amassing a staggering ₹3 crore in advance ticket sales in Kerala within just five hours of bookings opening. Globally, trade experts estimate the pre-sales for Coolie at around ₹40 crore across key regions like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat, reinforcing the film’s blockbuster potential. This impressive momentum suggests a colossal opening day for the film, making it a strong contender for one of the year’s biggest cinematic successes.

A Clash of Titans

Coolie‘s release on August 14 sets up a high-stakes box office clash with another major Indian film, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. Despite the competition, Coolie has established a clear lead in advance bookings in overseas markets, a testament to the combined star power of Rajinikanth and Kanagaraj. The film’s early success in pre-sales indicates a very strong opening, which could potentially rewrite Indian box office history.

For those who prefer to watch movies at home, the film’s OTT release is expected to follow the traditional eight-week window. Reports suggest that Prime Video has secured the streaming rights, with the film likely becoming available around mid-October 2025. This plan ensures that the theatrical run receives its full due before the film transitions to a digital platform. Ultimately, the stage is set for Coolie to become a cultural moment, a cinematic event that fans will remember for years to come.