Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ Creates Advance Booking Frenzy in Kerala, Earns ₹3 Crore in Just 5 Hours
The Thalaivar wave is back—and this time, it’s bigger than ever. Rajinikanth, the undisputed superstar of Indian cinema, has set the stage on fire yet again with his upcoming film ‘Coolie’, directed by blockbuster filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj. With just advance bookings, the film has already minted ₹3 crore in Kerala alone—and that too in under 5 hours!
This record-breaking pre-release response showcases not just Rajinikanth’s evergreen charisma, but also the massive fanbase he continues to enjoy across the country, especially in South India. The collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj, the man behind hits like Kaithi, Master, and Vikram, has taken the excitement for Coolie to a whole new level.
Let’s dive into what’s driving this incredible hype and what fans can expect from one of the most awaited films of the year.
🎬 A Powerful Duo: Rajinikanth x Lokesh Kanagaraj
When it was announced that Rajinikanth would collaborate with Lokesh Kanagaraj, fans knew something special was on the way. Lokesh has built a reputation for crafting gritty, stylized action thrillers with deep character arcs. Pairing that with Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life screen presence is a formula for box office fireworks.
The project, titled ‘Coolie’, is rumored to be a high-octane, mass-action entertainer set in a raw, working-class backdrop. From the teaser and motion poster alone, fans got chills watching Rajinikanth wield a chain as a weapon, hinting at a powerful working-class hero storyline.
This fresh narrative, paired with Lokesh’s signature cinematic style, has elevated expectations, not just among fans but within the entire Tamil and Malayalam film industry.
📈 Kerala Box Office: ₹3 Crore in Advance Sales in Just 5 Hours
Kerala is known for its strong cinema culture and love for big stars across industries. Rajinikanth, despite being primarily a Tamil superstar, enjoys a cult following in the state.
When advance bookings for Coolie opened, tickets began to sell out within minutes. Within just 5 hours, the movie collected a massive ₹3 crore in advance ticket sales in Kerala alone. That’s an extraordinary number for any film, let alone one that hasn’t even been released yet.
Reasons Behind This Frenzy:
- Rajinikanth’s loyal fanbase cutting across age groups
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s brand value and credibility
- Mass appeal + emotional storyline teased in the promotional content
- Cinemas offering special fan shows at midnight and early morning
- Heavy buzz on social media and fan groups
In some cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, and Calicut, tickets were sold out for the first 2 days within the first few hours itself.
🔥 The Power of Thalaivar Mania
Rajinikanth is more than an actor—he’s an emotion. His screen presence, dialogues, and style have transcended generations. Even at 74, he draws crowds that rival or even surpass younger superstars.
In Coolie, Rajinikanth is said to be playing a rugged, emotionally charged character. His return to a “mass avatar” is what fans have been waiting for. The film’s look and tone suggest that it could be his most impactful role in recent years.
From the first teaser where he appears with a swag-filled walk and background score that shakes the hall, fans have already declared this a blockbuster in the making.
🧠 Marketing, Promotions & Strategy
The makers of Coolie have smartly executed their promotional campaign:
- Teaser Launch with Surprise Drop – Went viral within minutes.
- Hashtags like #CoolieStorm and #ThalaivarIsBack trended for hours.
- Collaborations with fan clubs across South India to coordinate bookings and celebrations.
- Stylish posters and motion graphics that gave hints about the storyline without revealing too much.
The strategy to keep the mystery alive while teasing powerful visuals worked wonders, leading to strong curiosity among both fans and neutral moviegoers.
🎞️ What to Expect from the Film?
Although the plot has been kept under wraps, industry insiders suggest that Coolie may have all the hallmarks of a Lokesh Kanagaraj universe film:
- Multiple interconnected characters
- Emotion-driven revenge drama
- Strong social message
- Brutal and stylized action sequences
- Iconic villain vs hero dynamic
Fans are also speculating whether Coolie might tie into Lokesh’s already established Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) that includes Kaithi and Vikram. If that happens, it could be the biggest crossover event in South Indian cinema.
💥 All-India Craze – Not Just Kerala
While Kerala is grabbing headlines for record-breaking advance sales, it’s important to note that this excitement is nationwide. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and even in North Indian metros like Mumbai and Delhi, the buzz around Coolie is skyrocketing.
Single-screen cinemas are reporting housefull boards for opening day, and multiplexes are adding additional shows due to high demand.
🧾 Coolie’s Box Office Prediction: Another Rajinikanth Blockbuster?
With such a thunderous start in pre-sales, industry experts are predicting a massive opening day collection, possibly in the range of ₹40–₹50 crore worldwide. If reviews match the hype, Coolie could:
- Become one of Rajinikanth’s highest-grossing films
- Break opening day records in multiple states
- Set new benchmarks for advance booking sales
- Bring in a new wave of fan celebrations post-COVID era
🎉 Fan Celebrations and Social Media Buzz
In true Rajinikanth style, fans are going all out to celebrate the return of their star:
- Huge cut-outs and banners in theaters
- Special “paal abhishekam” rituals on the release day
- Fan shows at 4 AM and 7 AM
- Massive online trends with hashtags like #CoolieStormBegins and #ThalaivarSwag
Social media is flooded with videos, ticket screenshots, and fans dancing in theaters—proving that Rajinikanth’s charm is ageless and unmatched.
✅ Conclusion: The Hype is Real
Coolie is shaping up to be more than just a movie—it’s a cinematic event. With ₹3 crore in just 5 hours from Kerala alone, it’s clear that audiences are eagerly waiting to witness Thalaivar’s return to a mass-action role.
As Rajinikanth teams up with Lokesh Kanagaraj for the first time, expectations are soaring. If the film delivers on its promise of action, emotion, and entertainment, it could easily become the biggest South Indian blockbuster of 2025.
One thing is certain: the Coolie storm has just begun.