Coolie First Day Collection Sets Stage for Blockbuster Weekend
“Coolie,” the highly anticipated film starring Superstar Rajinikanth, has made a sensational entry at the box office, with initial reports indicating a phenomenal Day 1 collection. The Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial has captured the audience’s imagination, fueled by Rajinikanth’s “vintage swagger” and the director’s signature style. According to early trade estimates, the film’s India net collection is around ₹69.57 crore on its first day across all languages. This is a significant lead over its box office rival, “War 2,” which has collected an estimated ₹38.99 crore in the same time frame.
Coolie vs War 2: A Clear Winner on Day 1
The box office clash between the two cinematic giants, “Coolie” and “War 2,” was a major talking point leading up to the Independence Day weekend. While “War 2” leveraged the star power of Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR and the reputation of the YRF Spy Universe, “Coolie” had a massive lead in pre-sales and opening-day occupancy.
- Occupancy Rates: “Coolie” opened to an impressive 81.95% occupancy overall in Tamil, with certain cities like Pondicherry, Salem, and Warangal reporting near full-house shows. The Telugu version also performed exceptionally well, with an average occupancy of over 91%. Even the Hindi version, despite lower advance bookings, saw a respectable turnout, particularly in cities like Mumbai.
- Collections: “Coolie’s” dominant performance in its home territory of Tamil Nadu, combined with strong collections from Telugu states and the international market, contributed to its massive opening. The film’s total worldwide gross on Day 1 is projected to be in the range of ₹90-100 crore, with some trade experts predicting it could reach as high as ₹130 crore.
Coolie Movie Reviews and Audience Reactions
Early reviews and audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans celebrating Rajinikanth’s return to his old form. The film has received a “blockbuster” rating on platforms like IMDb, with users praising the “Thalaivar magic.” The collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj is being hailed as a masterpiece. While some users have noted that the second half felt a bit “stretched,” the film is generally being appreciated for its thrilling moments and stellar performances from the ensemble cast, which includes Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, and Aamir Khan in a cameo.
Tentative First Weekend and Day 2 Collection Predictions
With the Independence Day public holiday and a full weekend ahead, “Coolie” is expected to maintain its strong momentum.
- Day 2 Prediction: With positive word-of-mouth and a holiday in many regions, the film is expected to have another strong day. The Day 2 collection could potentially remain in the ₹45-55 crore range, depending on evening and night show turnout.
- First Weekend Prediction: The film is on track for a massive opening weekend. Trade analysts are projecting a first-weekend collection of anywhere between ₹200-250 crore gross worldwide, cementing its position as one of the biggest box office openers of the year. This would place “Coolie” in a position to challenge some of Rajinikanth’s highest-grossing films like “Jailer” and “2.0.”
