Rajinikanth’s latest crime drama “Coolie,” helmed by director Lokesh Kanagaraj, continues to deliver solid box office numbers, earning an estimated Rs 47-48 crore on its first Saturday. While these figures represent strong performance by industry standards, the film appears to be underperforming relative to its opening weekend potential and pre-release expectations.
Three-Day Performance Overview
The film’s box office trajectory shows a concerning downward trend despite impressive absolute numbers. Coolie launched with a blockbuster opening of Rs 75.50 crore, followed by Rs 63.50 crore on Thursday (Independence Day holiday), and is projected to close Saturday at Rs 47.50 crore. This brings the three-day total to approximately Rs 186.50 crore.
Industry analysts predict Sunday collections will dip further to around Rs 40 crore, positioning the opening weekend total at just over Rs 225 crore.
Performance Analysis: Missing the Mark
While Coolie’s Saturday collection of Rs 47.50 crore would typically be considered exceptional for Tamil cinema, the context of its massive opening suggests the film should have maintained momentum closer to Rs 60 crore for the third day.
The most significant concern lies in the Tamil version’s steep decline in its home market. The film’s sustaining power appears to come primarily from its Hindi and Telugu dubbed versions, which are holding relatively better. However, even these markets are expected to see substantial drops post-Sunday.
This underperformance in Tamil Nadu is particularly noteworthy for a Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial and could potentially see the film tracking below Ajith Kumar’s “Good Bad Ugly” in the state.
Global Prospects and Final Projections
Despite domestic concerns, Coolie is heading toward a worldwide gross in the Rs 500 crore range. The global weekend is expected to reach approximately Rs 375 crore, though the film’s ultimate success will depend on its ability to add at least Rs 125 crore in subsequent weeks.
Even with current performance levels, Coolie is positioned to join the top 5 highest-grossing Kollywood films worldwide. This achievement would mark Rajinikanth’s third entry in this elite list, notably accomplished with three different directors, reinforcing his enduring box office appeal.
Looking Ahead
The film’s performance will be closely monitored in the coming week as it faces the typical post-weekend decline. While the absolute numbers remain impressive, the gap between expectations and reality highlights the challenges even star-driven projects face in maintaining opening momentum in today’s competitive market.
