Rajinikanth’s latest blockbuster Coolie has delivered a thunderous start at the box office, with theatres across the country reporting near-full occupancy on its opening day. Released on the Independence Day weekend, the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial has already crossed the Rs 20 crore mark in early collections, with industry trackers predicting that the film could touch a staggering Rs 60 crore by the end of day one.
The film is clashing with War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, in one of the year’s most talked-about box office battles. While War 2 posted strong advance booking numbers, matching Coolie’s early collections, the buzz around Rajinikanth’s action-packed gangster drama appears to be pulling ahead, especially in South India where the Superstar’s fanbase remains unmatched.
Massive Opening and Occupancy Rates
According to Sacnilk, Coolie recorded an impressive overall occupancy of 81.95 percent across India. In Tamil Nadu, cities like Trichy, Vellore, Salem, and Pondicherry saw near sell-out shows, while Bengaluru emerged as a powerhouse market with 903 screens running the film at an extraordinary 91 percent occupancy rate.
In Mumbai, despite lower Hindi advance booking numbers, the film attracted significant footfall, especially for its Hindi version across 193 shows. Delhi NCR, however, saw more modest numbers. Even so, the sheer scale of Coolie’s reach has made it the hottest ticket in cinemas this week.
Audience Reactions and Early Reviews
Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with IMDb users calling it “a blockbuster” and praising Rajinikanth’s unmatched charisma. One viewer wrote, “The Thalaivar magic is unstoppable. Rajinikanth reminds the world why he’s the one and only Superstar. Lokesh delivered an absolute masterpiece.” Others highlighted the thrilling action sequences and “Rajinified” moments that had fans erupting in cheers.
However, a section of the audience noted that the second half felt slightly stretched, with some comparing its pacing to Lokesh’s earlier films like Leo. Despite these minor criticisms, the general consensus remains that Coolie is an unmissable cinematic event.
The Box Office Showdown
With War 2 bringing its own star power and fan following, the competition will be fierce over the Independence Day weekend. Yet, with Coolie’s strong early lead and sky-high occupancy rates, Rajinikanth’s latest outing may well outpace its rival in the days to come. If momentum continues, the film could soon join the ranks of his highest-grossing releases like 2.0, Jailer, and Kabali.
One thing is certain whether you are a die-hard Thalaivar fan or just a lover of big-screen spectacle, Coolie is the movie dominating conversations and cinemas alike this week.
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