Box Office: Coolie overseas rights sold for Rs 68 crore.
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Coolie, starring Rajinikanth and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has secured a monumental Rs 68 crore overseas theatrical rights deal with Ayngaran International, marking the second-highest minimum guarantee (MG) for a Tamil film, just behind Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan (Rs 75 crore). This action thriller, set for an August 14, 2025 release, boasts a stellar cast including Nagarjuna, Upendra, and Aamir Khan. With a Rs 375 crore budget, Coolie has already recovered Rs 230-240 crore from non-theatrical rights, positioning it as a low-risk juggernaut despite a clash with War 2. This blog dives into the record-breaking deal, the film’s hype, and its potential to redefine Tamil cinema’s global box office.
A Record-Breaking Overseas Deal
Coolie, the highly anticipated Tamil action thriller, is rewriting industry benchmarks before its August 14, 2025 release. According to reliable trade sources, Ayngaran International has acquired the film’s overseas theatrical rights for a staggering Rs 68 crore, making it the second-highest minimum guarantee (MG) deal for a Tamil film, surpassed only by Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan at Rs 75 crore (Phars Films). Farru Tech exclusively learned that this deal outshines Rajinikanth’s previous record with Jailer (Rs 35 crore), nearly doubling its overseas MG, and eclipses other blockbusters like 2.0. A source noted, “This is the biggest overseas deal for a Rajinikanth starrer. The makers could’ve hit record MGs if not for the clash with War 2.” The buzz, amplified by X posts like @Its_CineHub’s “Thalaiva’s biggest overseas deal! 🔥,” underscores Coolie’s global appeal.
The Clash with War 2
The Rs 68 crore deal, while historic, faced headwinds due to Coolie’s Independence Day clash with War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani. Set for August 14, 2025, War 2’s Telugu-dubbed release, bolstered by Jr NTR’s star power, is expected to dominate Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where Rajinikanth’s films typically thrive. A Times of India report noted that Coolie’s makers prioritized Telugu states over Hindi markets, banking on Rajinikanth’s pull post-Jailer and Leo’s success there. Despite the competition, Coolie’s multi-language release (Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam) and IMAX format ensure a wide reach, with fans on X, like @SamarOnScreen, predicting a “box office storm.”
Coolie’s Stellar Ensemble and Lokesh’s Vision
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for Vikram (2022) and Leo (2023), Coolie marks his first collaboration with Rajinikanth, who plays Deva, a character tied to gold smuggling. The film, a standalone project outside Lokesh’s Cinematic Universe, features a pan-Indian cast: Nagarjuna as Simon, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, and a cameo by Aamir Khan. Pooja Hegde appears in a dance number, per Siasat. Anirudh Ravichander’s music, including an upcoming single teased by @SunPictures on X, adds to the hype. Lokesh, in a Baradwaj Rangan interview, revealed the script, written in 2015, was tailored for Rajinikanth, with reduced violence at the actor’s suggestion, ensuring a mass appeal.
Financial Powerhouse: Budget and Recoveries
Produced by Sun Pictures on a Rs 375 crore budget (including Rs 25 crore for print and publicity), Coolie is among India’s costliest films. Rajinikanth’s reported Rs 150 crore fee, Lokesh’s Rs 50 crore, and the ensemble’s salaries account for much of the Rs 350 crore production cost, per Farru Tech. Yet, the film’s financial risk is mitigated by robust pre-release deals: Rs 130 crore from digital rights (Amazon Prime Video), Rs 90 crore from satellite rights, and Rs 20 crore from music rights, totaling Rs 240 crore. With only Rs 135 crore needed from theatrical earnings to break even, Coolie is poised for profitability, per India Today.
Tamil Cinema’s Overseas MG Rankings
Coolie’s Rs 68 crore deal cements its place among Tamil cinema’s top overseas MGs, as reported by Farru Tech:
- Jana Nayagan (Thalapathy Vijay): Rs 75 crore (Phars Films)
- Coolie (Rajinikanth): Rs 68 crore (Ayngaran International)
- Thug Life (Kamal Haasan): Rs 63 crore (AP International)
- Leo (Thalapathy Vijay): Rs 60 crore (Multiple Distributors)
- G.O.A.T (Thalapathy Vijay): Rs 53 crore (Phars Films)
The Rs 68 crore MG outpaces Rajinikanth’s Jailer (Rs 35 crore) and 2.0, reflecting the superstar’s enduring draw and Lokesh’s brand, though Jana Nayagan’s record persists due to Vijay’s final film hype.
Box Office Expectations and Challenges
Coolie is touted as Tamil cinema’s tentpole release, with ambitions to join the Rs 1000 crore club, a feat no Tamil film has achieved, per OTTplay. Its predecessor, Jailer (2023), grossed over Rs 600 crore worldwide, while Vettaiyan (2024) underperformed at Rs 4.68 crore in Hindi markets but earned Rs 17.92 crore in Telugu states, per Times of India. Coolie’s pan-Indian cast and IMAX release aim to surpass these figures, though War 2’s Telugu dominance poses a hurdle. Fans on X, like @RepublicWorld, are optimistic, citing “Rajinikanth’s mass appeal and Lokesh’s action mastery.”
What’s Next for Coolie and Rajinikanth
With filming wrapped in March 2025 across Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Bangkok, Coolie is in post-production, per Wikipedia. The makers, led by Kalanithi Maran, are finalizing theatrical deals, with Telugu and Tamil rights in high demand, per Telugu360. A 100-day countdown promo, shared by @SunPictures, showcased Rajinikanth’s rugged look, fueling anticipation. Rajinikanth is also shooting Jailer 2 with Nelson Dilipkumar, featuring cameos by Mohanlal and others, per Farru Tech. Coolie’s first single, expected soon, and its August 14 release will keep the hype alive.
A Game-Changer for Tamil Cinema
Coolie’s Rs 68 crore overseas deal signals Rajinikanth’s unmatched stardom and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s commercial pull. Despite War 2’s clash, the film’s pre-release recoveries, stellar cast, and pan-Indian appeal position it to challenge Jana Nayagan’s record and redefine Tamil cinema’s global box office. As @sidkannan on X put it, “Thalaiva and Lokesh are unstoppable!” All eyes are on August 14, 2025, for a potential record-shattering run.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available reports and social media updates. Financial figures, release plans, and cast details are subject to change. The article does not reflect the views of Rajinikanth, Lokesh Kanagaraj, or any affiliated parties. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently.
Sources: Zoomtventertainment (June 18, 2025), Times of India (June 3, 5, 2025), India Today (May 27, 2025), OTTplay (May 8, 2025), Telugu360 (June 18, 2025), Wikipedia (May 28, 2025), and posts on X.
