🎭 Kollywood News & Entertainment

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Lokesh Kanagaraj Says Karthi Is the Reason for His Success As a Director, Promises Kaithi 2 Will Be a Huge Hit

Chennai, August 6 - Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is busy with the promotion of superstar Rajinikanth-fronted gangster action drama Coolie, one of the most awaited films of the year. As Lokesh navigates the excitement ahead of Coolie's release, the director is also looking forward to returning to his signature cinematic universe with the much-hyped sequel, Kaithi 2. ## During a recent interview, the filmmaker encountered a silly question when the interviewer asked him whether is regrets making Kaithi 2 after doing films with industry giants like Rajinikant, Vijay, and Kamal Haasan. Lokesh answered it sensibly while showing his huge admiration for actor Karthi, crediting him as the catalyst behind his rise as a successful director. ## "Karthi sir gave me my break. If I am here today, it's because of him. He trusted me when no one else would. Kaithi changed my life." The director reflected on how Kaithi (2019) became a turning point not just in his career but also in Tamil cinema, laying the foundation for the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). ## He added that Karthi's commitment, humility, and belief in his vision gave him the confidence to pursue bold storytelling styles. "Karthi never treated me like a newcomer. For me, he is a big star. He gave me complete freedom on Kaithi, and that faith still motivates me," Lokesh remarked. ## Lokesh Believes Kaithi 2 Will Be A Huge Hit ## As anticipation builds around the sequel Kaithi 2, Lokesh believes it will be one of his biggest hits. "Kaithi 2 will be a huge hit. I'm working very hard to make sure it lives up to the expectations. It will be bigger in scale, emotion, and action." He also confirmed that the script is nearing completion and that filming will begin after his current project with Rajinikanth (Coolie) wraps up. ## Kaithi 2 is the 4th film in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, after Kaithi Leo (2023), Vikram (2022), and Kaithi (2019). In one of the earlier interviews, Lokesh said that Kaithi 2 will be the peak LCU film in which characters from other films will have a crossover. It is expected to start rolling towards the end of this year and be released next year. ## Stay tuned...

328 days ago

16.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

From First to Fastest Million Dollar Premiere Day: Superstar Rajinikanth Dominates North America Box Office With Kabali and Coolie

Los Angeles, August 4 - Superstar Rajinikanth continues to rewrite box office history in North America. Nearly a decade after his 2016 blockbuster Kabali became the first Tamil film ever to earn $1 million on its premiere day, the legendary actor has now achieved yet another milestone with his upcoming film Coolie. ## Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie is going great guns at the North American box office and in the process, it has become the fastest Tamil film to hit the $1 million mark from premiere sales there, doing this before 12 days left for the premiere. There have been only four Tamil films to score $1 million premiere day in NA, with Thalapathy Vijay's Leo and director Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 being the other two.## This landmark achievement not only cements Rajinikanth's unshakable dominance overseas but also reflects the growing anticipation surrounding Coolie, which marks his first-ever collaboration with Lokesh, the mastermind behind recent Tamil blockbusters like Vikram and Leo. ## Not only Coolie become the fastest Tamil title to score $1 million in North America premiere, the action-packed gangster drama, backed by Sun Pictures, is also eyeing the biggest premiere day collection for a Tamil title there. Currently, Kabali has the record with $1.92 million, and Coolie is projected to breach $2 million mark. ## With Coolie reaching the million-dollar milestone in record time, Rajinikanth now holds both the first and fastest million-dollar premiere records for Tamil cinema in North America — a testament to his enduring global popularity and long-lasting legacy. As the film gears up for its theatrical release this Independence Day weekend, on August 14, expectations are sky-high for it to set new benchmarks at the global box office. ## Stay tuned...

329 days ago

16.8K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth, Lokesh Kanagaraj's 'Coolie' India Advance Booking Update

Chennai, August 3 - The buzz surrounding superstar Rajinikanth's highly anticipated gangster action thriller Coolie is reaching a fever pitch as the film nears its grand release on August 14, 2025. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the trailer of Coolie was launched on August 2, featuring a vintage mass-action Rajini avatar. ## As the movie is only 11 days away from hitting the big screen, everyone wants to know when the advance booking will open in India. According to the latest update, the film's pre-sales will open on August 8 in Kerala state, as confirmed by regional distributor HM Associates. Given Rajinikanth’s massive fanbase in the state, exhibitors are preparing for packed shows and potential early sellouts. The rest of India pre-sales are also expected to open around this date. ## Meanwhile, the overseas bookings of Coolie are on a rampage mode, particularly in North America, where it has already crossed the impressive $1 million milestone for the premiere shows with 12 days still left. This indicates the film's box office potential in the international markets, due to the powerful collaborations. ## With Coolie set for a multilingual release, expectations are sky-high for it to dominate the Independence Day weekend box office in India. Early tracking shows that Coolie will easily take 100+ crores opening, but can it go further and score the biggest start for Tamil cinema, is the question to be answered. ## The film’s gritty tone, high-octane action, and throwback storytelling style have resonated well with fans online, while the unique blend of Rajini’s charisma and Lokesh's cinematic flair positions Coolie as a major event film. ## Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead, supported by a star-studded ensemble including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, whose soundtrack has already become a rage among fans. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14 and will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. ## Stay tuned...

331 days ago

29K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Coolie Trailer: Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna Set The Screen On Fire In Director Lokesh Kanagaraj's Action Thriller

Chennai, August 2 - The wait is over as superstar Rajinikanth is back in full form with the trailer of the much-awaited action thriller Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Released on August 2 during a grand event in Chennai, the trailer has taken social media by storm, showcasing vintage Rajini charm, gritty visuals, and a gold-smuggling plot wrapped in explosive action. ## A Smuggler's Saga With a Mass Makeover ## The stylish three-plus-minute-long trailer of the film shows the ensemble cast involved in an intense action drama, led by Rajinikanth and a surprise cameo of Aamir Khan. Set against the backdrop of watch and gold smuggling, the high-octane actioner promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. ## Director Lokesh Kanagaraj sets the tone for a gritty, emotional journey that brings together old-school gangster elements and stylised action choreography, much like his previous works in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). The movie has a powerhouse ensemble, which also includes cast, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Upendra, and Soubin Shahir. ## While the trailer focuses primarily on Rajinikanth, glimpses of other characters suggest high-voltage confrontations and layered character arcs. ## Anirudh's Electrifying Score ## Music composer Anirudh Ravichander once again elevates the visuals with a thumping background score that blends folk percussion with modern sound design. The theme, accompanied by slo-mo action shots and vintage Rajini-style walks, adds an epic feel to the proceedings. ## Lokesh’s First A-Rated Film ## As revealed earlier, Coolie is director Lokesh's first A-rated blockbuster, and the trailer also confirms the same with some raw action. The dark tone, intense violence, and smuggling backdrop appear to justify the adult tag. ## The film is scheduled to hit the big screen on August 14, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada versions, worldwide. The advance booking is expected to open around August 8. ## ## Stay tuned...

331 days ago

15.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Coolie North America Premiere Advance Booking: Rajinikanth-starrer Nears $1 Million

Los Angeles, August 2 - Superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action thriller film Coolie is less than 2 weeks away from hitting the worldwide theatres. As if the anticipation for the film wasn't already skyrocketing, the makers are set to drop the trailer on August 2, which is expected to take the hype to the next level. ## The advance booking of Coolie is yet to open in India, but it is going strong at the international box office, especially in North America. With still 12 days to go for the release, the film's premiere pre-sales have crossed $900K and are set to cross $1 million by tomorrow. ## Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie will be eyeing all-time record premiere for Tamil movies in North America. The record currently belongs to Rajinikanth's Kabali (2016), which scored $1.92 million. Unlike Coolie, Kabali had a full-day premiere in North America. ## While Coolie is looking to create history, it has massive competition with Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR-fronted War 2, which also has its premiere on the same day. The pre-sales for the latter opened a couple of days ago, and the initial response is excellent. ## Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead, supported by a star-studded ensemble including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, whose soundtrack has already become a rage among fans.## The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14 and will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. ## Stay tuned...

332 days ago

20K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's Coolie Gets 'A' Certificate From CBFC; A First For Director Lokesh Kanagaraj

Chennai, August 1 - Superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action thriller film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has been officially awarded an 'A' (Adults Only) certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the makers announced on Friday. ## This marks a significant moment in both Rajinikanth's and Lokesh's careers. For Rajinikanth, this is the first A-rated film in nearly 36 years, with the last one believed to be the 1989 release Siva. For Lokesh, known for his high-octane action thrillers, Coolie becomes the first film in his directorial journey to receive an adult rating. ## The 'A' certificate is reportedly due to the film’s uncompromising portrayal of violence and intense action sequences, something Lokesh also hinted at in a recent interview. The director, who is popular for his stylised narrative style seen in films like Vikram and Leo, wanted to bring a new edge to Rajinikanth’s mass appeal with a darker and more intense treatment, which naturally led to the adult certification. ## While the rating adds a level of intrigue, it also presents a challenge for the film’s box office performance in family-oriented markets, especially when the runtime is reportedly around 3 hours. Traditionally, Rajinikanth films enjoy a wide demographic appeal, including family audiences. However, reports suggest that the bold move might pay off by attracting younger urban viewers looking for a more hard-hitting experience. ## The makers have announced a grand trailer launch event on August 2 in Chennai, which is expected to be attended by the entire cast and crew. Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie is set to release worldwide on August 14, 2025, in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada languages.## Stay tuned...

332 days ago

19.1K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' Day 1 Box Office Prediction: A 100+ Crore Opening In Sight

Chennai, July 26 - The stakes are higher than ever, and the anticipation is at an all-time high for what is billed as one of the most ambitious films of Tamil cinema - Coolie. Starring superstar Rajinikanth, the gangster action drama is expected to ignite the box office this Independence Day weekend with records in sight. ## As the release date nears, the early box office indicators for this Lokesh Kanagaraj's directorial are nothing short of explosive, especially seeing the reception in advance sales wherever it has opened, suggesting that Coolie could potentially rewrite the record books for Tamil cinema — and even Indian cinema at large. ## Prediction - What Could Be The First Day Collection of Coolie? ## The South Indian cinema, especially Tamil, has always been notoriously unpredictable at the box office, and Rajinikanth’s upcoming Coolie is no different. While the buzz surrounding the film is at a fever pitch, it will be sharing screens with another pan-India heavyweight — War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. However, the odds are still in favour of Coolie in some markets. ## So what could be the first-day collection of the film? Well, this is the question which will be answered when the film gets released. But the combination of superstar Rajinikanth and director Lokesh, with a strong supporting cast, ignites high hopes, and trade experts are already speculating the film's numbers based on the immense hype and market buzz. ## Coolie will have no competition in its home market, Tamil Nadu, where it will be eyeing one of the biggest or potentially the biggest start. While it is still early, the movie is expected to open in the range of 30-40 crores gross in the state. ## In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which have traditionally been strong contributors for Rajinikanth, Coolie could match or surpass Jailer's opening day collection of 12.50 crores, despite competition with War 2. The rest of the domestic regions may bring in another 20 crores gross. The overall domestic opening of Coolie can be in the range of 60-75 crores gross, which is excellent. ## The overseas pre-sales of Coolie are one of the best and are on par with Thalapathy Vijay's Leo. Trade is projecting a record opening for a Tamil movie in international markets. The film has already crossed Rajinikanth's Jailer, which scored 40 crores gross first day internationally, with pre-sales only. ## Though the competition with YRF's War 2 is still a reality, Coolie will be eyeing a 60-70+ crores start. A worldwide opening for the film might be in the range of 120-150 crore gross. As said earlier, word of mouth plays a vital role when it comes to setting high hopes regarding the box office. With a super positive reception, these projected numbers might go even higher, but might plunge as well if the reports are otherwise. ## With the Rajinikanth–Lokesh Kanagaraj duo coming together for the first time under a reputable production house like Sun Pictures, backed by immense hype, mass appeal, and technical grandeur, Coolie is not just a film — it's a pan-Indian box office event in the making. All eyes now turn to August, when the verdict will be written in crores. ## Stay tuned...

338 days ago

23.2K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Is Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' Part of Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU)?

Chennai, July 24 - Director Lokesh Kanagaraj helmed cinematic universe — popularly known as the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) — has already delivered major hits with Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo. With stars like Karthi, Kamal Haasan, and Thalapathy Vijay headlining these blockbusters, expectations for what's next in the LCU are at an all-time high. ## While Lokesh previously confirmed that he would be focusing solely on LCU projects, he surprised fans by collaborating with superstar Rajinikanth for a gangster action drama titled Coolie. At the time of announcement, many speculated that Coolie could also be part of the LCU; however, the filmmaker clarified in interviews that it would be a standalone film with no connection to his cinematic universe. ## But recent developments have reignited rumours about a potential LCU connection. According to new media reports, Kamal Haasan — who headlined LCU's Vikram (2022) - has been approached to lend his voice for Coolie. Notably, Haasan's voice was featured in the post-credit scene of Vijay's Leo, hinting at interconnected storylines within the LCU. ## Although it is not confirmed yet, if the rumours about Kamal Haasan lending his voice for Coolie are true, this could mark a significant step forward in the evolution of LCU, further solidifying it as Indian cinema's one of the most ambitious interconnected franchise, featuring powerhouse names like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Suriya, and Karthi. ## About Coolie ## Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead, supported by a star-studded ensemble including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, whose soundtrack has already become a rage among fans.## The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, and will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. ## Stay tuned...

341 days ago

28K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' Advance Booking Starts Strongly In North America

Chennai, July 23 - The countdown has begun for superstar Rajinikanth's highly awaited Pan-India gangster action drama Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film is all set for a grand worldwide release on August 14, perfectly timed with the Independence Day 2025 holiday. ## Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie marks one of the most ambitious collaborations in recent Indian cinema, with its scale, ensemble cast, and international release strategy generating massive buzz across the board, not just only in India. ## With three weeks to go before the release, the advance booking for the film has opened in North America, one of the key international markets for Indian titles. The movie will be released by Prathyangira Cinemas in North America, while overall overseas release will be handled by Hamsini Entertainment. ## Coolie pre-sales starts strongly in North America ## With just three weeks left until release, Coolie has already begun raking in impressive numbers overseas. Advance bookings for the film opened in North America on July 22, and the initial response has been nothing short of phenomenal. ## According to Venky box office, the film already sold 4,570 tickets for 240 premiere shows across the U.S. and Canada, collecting a whopping $128,000 in pre-sales for the August 13 premiere alone. ## The film is being released in North America by Prathyangira Cinemas, with Hamsini Entertainment handling the overall overseas distribution. If the current momentum sustains, Coolie could set new records for Indian films in the North American market. ## Coolie trailer on August 2nd ## The trailer of this much-awaited biggie will be launched on August 2nd, as confirmed by director Lokesh Kanagaraj in the recent interview. There will be no teaser for the movie as the filmmaker promised that the trailer will be enough to take the hype to the next level. ## About Coolie ## Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead role alongside Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan (cameo) in prominent roles. Anirudh Ravichander has scored the music, which has already become a talk of the town. The film will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada on August 14 worldwide. ## Stay tuned...

342 days ago

21.1K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' Strikes Third Biggest Tamil Film Deal For Kerala Theatrical Rights; Falls Behind Thalapathy Vijay's 'Leo' and 'The GOAT'

Kochi, July 19 - Superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action drama Coolie is easily the most hyped Tamil and one of the most anticipated Indian movies of the year. The film is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, and this marks his first collaboration with the superstar. ## The theatrical rights of Coolie have reportedly been locked in most areas, and the details about the film's Kerala distribution rights have been revealed. The makers officially announced on Friday that Hassan Meenu Associates has acquired the film's rights to release in the state, and according to reliable reports, the deal is locked for 14 crores. ## Biggest deal for a Rajinikanth-starrer but fails to beat Leo and The GOAT among Tamil movies in Kerala ## Despite the record-breaking theatrical deal for a Rajinikanth-starrer, Coolie falls behind Thalapathy Vijay's Leo and The Greatest of All Time in Kerala. Leo's Kerala rights sold for 16 crores, and it went on to become a big, profitable venture in the state. ## Vijay's The GOAT, however, despite scoring the biggest deal with 17 crores, turned into a big disaster at the Kerala box office. ## Break-even target for Coolie in Kerala ## To emerge as a clean box office, Coolie will need to score around 35 crores gross collection in Kerala. As said, the film is carrying positive buzz among the audience, and if the word of mouth aligns with the buzz, then it can easily break even and might go on to become a huge blockbuster. ## About Coolie ## Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead role alongside Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan (cameo) in prominent roles. It will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada on August 14 worldwide. ## Stay tuned...

346 days ago

17.4K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

'RRR' Distributor To Release Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' In Hindi

Chennai, July 17 - Superstar Aamir Khan's gangster action drama Coolie is set to blast on the big screen on August 14, ahead of Independence Day in multiple languages. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the hugely anticipated blockbuster also features Nagarajuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, and Aamir Khan (cameo), among others. ## The Hindi business of Coolie is one to watch out for, and the makers have collaborated with Pen Mrudhar to bring the movie in Hindi. Backed by Jayanti Lal Gada, Pen Mrudhar has distributed some of the biggest hits in Hindi, and one of them is SS Rajamouli's RRR. ## Coolie is eying history at the box office, and the makers will need the film to perform well in the dubbed Hindi version to achieve their goal. In Pen Mrudhar, they may have found an able partner to distribute the film on a big scale in Hindi, despite it clashing with Yash Raj Films' War 2. ## About Coolie ## Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead role alongside Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan (cameo) in prominent roles. It will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada on August 14 worldwide. ## #CoolieThePowerHouse Incoming!⚡🔥 Hindi distribution by #PenMovies #PenMarudhar #CoolieThePowerHouse releasing worldwide August 14th @rajinikanth @Dir_Lokesh @anirudhofficial #AamirKhan @iamnagarjuna @nimmaupendra #SathyaRaj #SoubinShahir @shrutihaasan @hegdepooja @anbariv… pic.twitter.com/747LXgqyfx— Pen Movies (@PenMovies) July 17, 2025 ## Stay tuned...

347 days ago

13.8K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's 'Coolie': Kollywood's Biggest Bet For 1000 Crore Club Entry, But

Chennai, July 17 - It has been a so-so year for Tamil cinema with a mixed bag of success, and the eyes are now on superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action drama film Coolie, which debuts in theatres worldwide on August 14, ahead of Independence Day, in multiple Indian languages. ## The highly anticipated film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is the sole hope for Tamil cinema to score a big blockbuster this year. Touted as one of the most ambitious projects in Kollywood, Coolie is already being viewed as the industry's biggest shot at entering the elite 1000 crore club — a feat only a handful of Indian films have managed to achieve. ## What Makes Coolie A Potential 1000 Crore Grosser? ## What makes Coolie stand out is not just the star power of Rajinikanth but his collaboration with Lokesh, the director behind Tamil blockbusters like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo. This marks their first-ever collaboration, and the anticipation around the film is huge across India and overseas among the Indian diaspora. ## Apart from Rajinikanth and Lokesh, who obviously have complete command over the Tamil market in India and overseas, the movie also features stars like Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan (cameo), and Upendra. Their presence makes the film a major selling point in regions outside Tamil. Additionally, there is Anirudh Ravichandar, whose music has been a talking point of the films he has done in recent times, and Coolie is another one in this list. ## Major Hurdle For Coolie's Shot At 1000 Crore Club ## The history of a 1000 crores Indian grosser has always been fascinating. So far, only eight Indian films have achieved this monumental feat at the global box office. Among them, three are outright Bollywood (Hindi) productions, while the remaining films — although rooted in South Indian cinema — were heavily reliant on the Hindi market to cross the milestone. ## In the case of Coolie, things are not as easy as the makers would have liked. While the film enjoys a good buzz due to the blockbuster collaborations, it faces a significant roadblock: a direct box office clash with Yash Raj Films' War 2 — a high-octane spy thriller starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. ## Though Coolie does have an edge with Aamir Khan's cameo presence, which could potentially boost its appeal in the Hindi belt, it is still unlikely to challenge War 2 in the North Indian and metro multiplex circuits, at least in the opening stages. And that's a critical factor. ## The highest-grossing non-Bollywood Indian film to date is SS Rajamouli's Baahubali 2, which amassed a staggering 1788 crore worldwide, with its Hindi version alone contributing approximately 800 crore. Similarly, Pushpa 2 — the third biggest Indian grosser with around 1750 crore globally — crossed the 1000 crore mark from its Hindi version alone, an exceptional feat. ## The trend continued with RRR (1230 crore worldwide), KGF Chapter 2 (1215 crore), and Kalki 2898 AD (1042 crore) — all of which heavily benefited from strong box office performance in the Hindi-speaking belt. These cases clearly show how critical the Hindi market has been for South Indian films in reaching the 1000 crore milestone. ## Coolie probably lacks this advantage, especially when it is directly clashing with an equally hugely anticipated Bollywood movie, War 2. Whether Coolie can overcome this challenge and leave a mark in the Hindi belt remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — to enter the 1000 crore club, regional dominance alone won't be enough. Its real test will be in the Hindi heartland, which is its way to the 1000 crores collection. ## Stay tuned...

348 days ago

17.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj Reveals Rajinikanth's First Reaction To 'Coolie'; Superstar Compares The Movie With Mani Ratnam's 'Thalapathi'

Chennai, July 15 - The anticipation is picking up for superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action drama film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Marking the first-time collaboration between the legendary actor and the master of modern Tamil cinema, the film has been generating massive buzz ever since its announcement.. ## Coolie is easily one of the most awaited Indian films of the year. Now, excitement has skyrocketed with the latest revelation by the filmmaker about the trailer launch date, which has reportedly been locked, and Rajinikanth's first reaction to the movie, which has gone viral. ## According to Lokesh, the superstar was "thrilled and deeply moved" after watching the cut, calling it "electrifying," which has only further fuelled fan frenzy on social media. With this hype, Coolie is shaping up to be not just a Tamil blockbuster but a pan-India cinematic event. ## Lokesh Kanagaraj Reveals Rajinikanth's First Reaction On Coolie ## During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, the filmmaker revealed that the legendary actor watched the film in a dubbing studio, and his first reaction was overwhelmingly positive. He said that after dubbing, Rajinikanth hugged him and said that "It (Coolie) looked like Thalapathi for me". ## Thalapathi (1991) is a gangster drama film featuring Rajinikanth and Mammootty, and directed by Mani Ratnam. It is considered one of the best movies in Rajinikanth's career and was also the most expensive South Indian film at that time. It was both critical and commerical success and won several awards. ## Coolie Trailer On August 2 ## In the same interview with THR, Lokesh revealed that the trailer of Coolie will be launched on August 2nd. Contrary to the rumours, the Leo director denied releasing any teaser, as he said that he would release only a trailer before the film hits the big screen on August 14. ## About Coolie - An Action Packed Emotional Blockbuster ## Coolie is a gangster action drama produced by Sun Pictures. Lokesh revealed that the first half of the film will be on the emotional side, and the second half is packed with action sequences. It stars Rajinikanth in the lead role alongside Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, and Aamir Khan (cameo), in prominent roles. It will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. ## Stay tuned...

350 days ago

15.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Wimbledon Celebrates Jannik Sinner's Title Triumph With Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'

London, July 14 - In an interesting crossover between cinema and sports, the official Instagram handle of Wimbledon, a tennis tournament organised by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in collaboration with the Lawn Tennis Association, has celebrated Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan after Jannik Sinner's title triumph. ## On Sunday (July 13), the sensational young Tennis superstar from Italy outsmarted Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the 4-set final to win his maiden Wimbledon title. To celebrate Sinner's biggest victory to date, Wimbledon posted a picture of him on Instagram, calling him "Wimbledon Nayagan" (Wimbledon's hero), resembling the first look poster of Vijay's farewell film. ## A Marketing Strategy By The Jana Nayagan Makers? ## The Wimbledon Championship is a popular sports event with a huge fan following in India. The latest "Wimbledon Nayagan" might be an organic thought and a smart marketing strategy by the makers to promote the film in the international market, especially in the Indian diaspora. Whatever the reason is, the poster has gone viral and is getting a lot of traction. ## About Jana Nayagana / Thalapathy 69 Movie ## Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is Vijay's 69th film, and potentially his last before his full-time entry into politics. The movie, produced by KVN Productions in its Tamil debut, is a political action thriller which also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, and Priyamani in prominent roles. ## The movie is scheduled to release on January 9, 2026, in multiple Indian languages, in theatres worldwide. ## View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wimbledon (@wimbledon) ## Stay tuned...

351 days ago

14.7K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Unexpected High Praise For Actor Soubin Shahir After 'Monica' Song Release From Rajinikanth's 'Coolie'

Chennai, July 13 - Superstar Rajinikanth's highly anticipated action thriller Coolie keeps hitting high buzz with each asset getting released. The makers have been making sure that they continue to release promotional content to keep the fans engaged, and the latest song, Monica, is turning into a massive win for them. ## The peppy dance number, composed by rockstar Anirudh and featuring Pooja Hegde, has become a big chartbuster, with clips going viral across social media platforms. While it was expected from Anirudh and Pooja Hegde to deliver a chartbuster, one of the major reasons for the song becoming a huge hit is actor Soubin Shahir. ## Soubin Shahir, almost unexpectedly, stole the limelight with his carefree, energetic dance performance in the song. The song, featuring Pooja Hegde along with hundreds of men, but the fans instantly hooked to Soubin Shahir's dance moves that come out of the syllabus. ## After the song's release, Soubin, known for his intense acting, has become a talking point for his dancing skills as the audience feels he was the show-stealer and that he stunned everyone with the energy he put into it. ## About Coolie ## Coolie, directed by Lokesh and produced by Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures, stars Rajinikanth in the lead role alongside Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, Monisha Blessy, and Aamir Khan (cameo) in prominent roles. Anirudh Ravichander has scored the music. It is set to release in theatres on August 14, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. ## ## Stay tuned...

352 days ago

16.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Director Shankar's Ambitious Vision For 'Velpari' Cinematic Adaptation

Chennai, July 12 - Renowned filmmaker S. Shankar, once hailed as a visionary of Indian cinema, is now struggling with one of the toughest phases of his career. Following the underwhelming box office performance of his much-hyped films Indian 2 and Game Changer, the director's credibility has taken a hit, with many critics and audiences branding his creative vision as "outdated." ## While there are so many challenges in front of him, he is refusing to back down and is looking to bounce back with what he calls his "dream project" — a cinematic adaptation of Veerayuga Nayagan Velpari, the bestselling historical epic novel by S. Venkatesan. ## Speaking at a grand event in Chennai celebrating the novel's success — having sold over 100,000 copies — Shankar confirmed that Velpari will be his next film. He described the project as a monumental opportunity to take Indian cinema to a global level, hinting at its massive scale and technological ambition, just like Game of Thrones and Avatar. ## "Velpari has everything — history, emotion, war, drama, and scope for cutting-edge technology. This can be a proud Tamil film on the global stage," Shankar said during the event, with the hope of making his dream come true. ## The director plans to make it a two-part epic, though no actors or producers are officially attached yet. It is said that the project will require extensive world-building, possibly matching or exceeding the scale of Ponniyin Selvan or Baahubali. With a dream to redefine Tamil cinema's global image, Velpari could well be Shankar’s boldest—and most redeeming—move yet. ## Who was Velpari? ## Velpari was a legendary Tamil chieftain and one of the seven great philanthropists (Kadai Ezhu Vallalgal) of ancient Tamilakam during the Sangam era (circa 300 BCE – 300 CE). He ruled over Parambu Nadu, a lush and hilly kingdom believed to be located in parts of present-day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. ## Stay tuned...

353 days ago

15.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

D54: Dhanush Teams Up With Director Vignesh Raja For His Next Film; Cast and Crew Details Revealed

Chennai, July 11 - National-award-winning actor Dhanush has kicked off his next film, tentatively called D54, with director Vignesh Raja, who is best known for his work in the superhit movie "Por Thozhil" (2023). ## The film, produced by Vels Film International, was announced on Thursday (July 10) with a traditional pooja ceremony attended by the main team, including Dhanush, producer Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, and director Vignesh Raja. ## The D54 is said to be a high-octane action entertainer, and the shoot for the same has also begun. The makers also released a poster which shows Dhanush standing in a cotton field being burnt down, with his head down. ## Cast and crew details of D54 ## Apart from Dhanush, the film will feature highly in-demand actress Mamitha Baiju in the female lead role alongside KS Ravi Kumar, Suraj Venjramoodu, and Jayaram in prominent roles. National-award-winning composer, GV Prakash Kumar, will score the music for this much-anticipated movie. ## The much awaited journey starts off 🔥 #D54 starring @dhanushkraja - Shoot begins today with a pooja. Produced by @VelsFilmIntl. A film by @vigneshraja89.A @gvprakash Musical 🎶@ThinkStudiosInd @alfredprakash17 @thenieswar @ksravikumardir @_mamithabaiju #Jayaram pic.twitter.com/yI5uI6G6Lj— Vels Film International (@VelsFilmIntl) July 10, 2025 ## Stay tuned...

353 days ago

14.8K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

A Sequel To Tamil Crime Thriller 'Ratsasan' Confirmed

Chennai, July 7 - Actor Vishnu Vishal's 2018 Tamil crime thriller film Ratsasan, along with Gatta Kusthi, are getting a sequel. The actor dropped this big announcement at a recent promotional event for his upcoming film, Oho Enthan Baby, in which he plays an extended cameo role. ## Directed by Ram Kumar, Ratsasan is widely regarded as one of the finest psychological thrillers in Indian cinema. The film marked a turning point in Vishnu Vishal’s career and continues to enjoy a cult following. With fans eagerly awaiting a follow-up for years, the news of the sequel has sparked massive excitement among the fans. ## The actor revealed that Ratsasan 2 will once again be helmed by Ram Kumar and produced under his own banner, Vishnu Vishal Studioz. The film is expected to go on floors next year, after the completion of Gatta Kusthi 2, which will be the actor’s next project following his current lineup. ## This will mark Vishnu Vishal's fourth collaboration with director Ram Kumar, following Mundasupatti, Ratsasan, and their upcoming film Irandu Vaanam, which recently wrapped filming. The actor is also simultaneously working on two other films, Mohandas and Aaryan, which are at different stages of production. ## Released in October 2018, Ratsasan followed the gripping journey of an aspiring filmmaker who turns into a police officer and investigates a string of brutal serial killings. The film was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over ₹20 crore worldwide and earning praise for its screenplay, direction, and performances. ## Stay tuned...

358 days ago

22.6K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

'Coolie' Makers Change The Title In Hindi After Trolling

Chennai, June 27 - Superstar Rajinikanth's action drama Coolie with director Lokesh Kanagaraj is easily among the most-anticipated films of the year. It is, in fact, one of the rare Tamil films which is carrying a decent buzz in Hindi markets, thanks to the presence of superstar Aamir Khan. ## The title of the movie as Coolie was gaining a lot of attantion in Hindi market, but, in a strange move, the makers recently renamed the film as Majdoor, in a hope to cater a large section of the audience in North India. This movie, however, backfired as it sparked criticism and trolling from northern audiences. ## Many people felt that the Majdoor title lacks the mass appeal that the original title has. People even started trolling the makers for coming up with such a title, which gave the impression of a normal dubbed South Indian movie and not treating it as a proper Pan India film despite the huge potential. ## The criticism and trolling worked as a much-needed feedback for the makers who have now changed the Hindi version's title to Coolie The Powerhouse. It is said that the makers couldn't use the title as Coolie in Hindi as it is also the title of Amitabh Bachchan's iconic film. ## Coolie is produced by Sun Pictures, and it also stars Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Hassan, and Soubin Shahir in key roles. The film is scheduled to hit the big screens on August 14 in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. ## Stay tuned...

368 days ago

17.2K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' Theatrical Window Shortened After Poor Box Office Result; OTT Price Reduced

Chennai, June 26 - The legendary combo of actor Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam reunited after 4 decades for a gangster action drama film Thug Life. It is among the most anticipated Tamil movies of the year; however, what followed next shocked the trade. ## Released on June 5, the film met with poor reception from critics and the audience. This resulted in a shocking box office performance of the film as it finished below 100 crores gross globally, turning into one of the biggest disasters of the year. ## Before the release of the film, the makers showed immense confidence in it and even publicly announced that it would be released on an OTT platform only after 8 weeks of theatrical release, breaking out from the usual norm of a 4-week window that exists in the Tamil Film Industry. ## The 8-week theatrical window announcement secured the movie's multiplex release in the Hindi version, becoming one of the first major Tamil movies to have a multiplex release in Hindi in recent times. However, the poor performance of the film led the makers to change their plans. ## According to the report by Pinkvilla, the makers have shortened the theatrical window of the movie to just 4 weeks to avoid further losses. The negotiations were made after Netflix, which is the official streaming partner of the movie, decided to reduce the OTT price of Thug Life. ## The movie was initially valued at 130 crore for OTT release, but the poor box office performance caused damage to this. It is said that Netflix was looking to renegotiate the price at 90 crore, but both parties eventually settled down at 110 crore for the digital rights, with a reduced OTT window of 4 weeks, as per Pinkvilla. ## Meanwhile, the reduced theatrical window has resulted in a breach of contract between the producers of Thug Life with the distributor and the national multiplex chains in North India. The report further stated that the Multiplex Chains have imposed a fine of 25 lakh on the producers. ## Stay tuned...

368 days ago

17.5K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' Needs To Become Second Biggest Tamil Grosser To Breakeven?

Chennai, June 26 - Superstar Rajinikanth's highly anticipated action drama Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, seems to have an uphill task in front of it. The film might need to emerge as the second biggest grosser for the veteran actor, just to become a box office success. ## Coolie is carrying huge expectations of delivering at the box office. The movie is being eyed as the one which has the potential to become the first Tamil movie to enter the 1000 crores club, and hence, it is getting crazy offers for theatrical distribution across the globe. ## Recently, it was revealed that the overseas business of Coolie was locked in the range of 80-85 crores, which is a record for a Tamil title. For Telugu states, the makers have reportedly been offered a huge price of around 45 crores, which is said to be the highest for a dubbed title in recent times. ## The theatrical business of the film for the home market, Tamil Nadu, is expected to be locked in the range of 110 crores, which is again a record. The presence of superstar Aamir Khan has kept the film in talks in the Hindi market as the makers are reportedly expecting 40-50 crores business for North India. ## The overall theatrical business of Coolie will reportedly be in the range of 300 crores, which means the movie will need to gross over 600 crores worldwide in order to emerge as a box office success. It will mostly need to outgross Rajinikanth's Jailer (605 crores gross), which is currently the third highest-grossing Tamil movie of all time, behind Thalapathy Vijay's Leo (606 crores gross). ## While the theatrical business offers for Coolie are eye-popping, it might be a risky bet given the fact that it will have a direct clash with Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR's War 2 on August 14. If War 2 manages to get favourable reception, it can make a significant dent in Coolie's business, especially in Telugu and Hindi markets. ## Coolie is produced by Sun Pictures, and it also stars Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, Monisha Blessy, and Kaali Venkat in key roles along with Aamir Khan in an extended cameo. ## Stay tuned...

369 days ago

21.9K views

Kollywood

BY Sacnilk Team 📰 News

Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' Release Date Re-Confirmed With First Look Teaser

Chennai, June 22 - Thalapathy Vijay gears up for a last dance of this cinematic journey with the upcoming film Jana Nayagan, which is potentially his last film before he steps into the world of politics. ## Directed by H. Vinoth, the political action thriller was announced for Pongal 2026 release, and reconfirming the same, the makers announced that this much-awaited biggie would hit the big screen on January 9, 2026, in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi languages. ## The makers also dropped the first look teaser to celebrate the Tamil superstar's 51st birthday. The glimpse video opens with the words, "A true leader rises not for power, but for people" - setting the tone for Vijay's character, who plays a police officer. ## Produced by KVN Productions, marking the studio's debut in Tamil cinema, the movie stars Pooja Hegde as the female lead alongside Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Shruti Haasan, Mamitha Baiju, Monisha Blessy and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. ## ## Stay tuned...

373 days ago

18.1K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' Eyes Record Theatrical Business

Chennai, June 17 - Superstar Rajinikanth's action drama Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is easily the most anticipated Tamil movie of the year with buzz is soaring with each passing day. It is scheduled to hit the big screen on August 14 this year. ## Coolie is a dream collaboration with some of best talents attached to it and the trade is highly optimistic about the same despite not much related to the film has been released yet. The movie is being seen as a potential highest-grossing Tamil title ever, and sensing that, the makers are getting record-breaking business offers worldwide. ## According to the Tamil trade reports, the overseas theatrical rights of the movie are quoted at a huge 80 crores, which is a record for a Tamil movie, beating Thalapathy Vijay's "Jana Nayagan", which has attracted 70+ crores (refundable advance structure) overseas business. ## Apart from overseas markets, Coolie has reportedly been offered a record deal for home state, Tamil Nadu's theatrical rights. The deal is expected to be confirmed shortly. Additionally, the theatrical rights for the rest of the Indian market are also being finalised for record business. ## The film features a Pan India star cast, including Nagarajuna, Aamir Khan (cameo), Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Shruti Haasan, among others, in prominent roles. Nagarjuna is playing the antagonist role, and the Telugu audience is excited to see him in this avatar, while Aamir Khan's presence is also expected to boost the film's box office prospects in the Hindi market. ## The biggest Tamil grosser of all time is Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar's "2.0" (745 crores gross worldwide), and Coolie will be eyeing this record if it manages to strike favourable word of mouth. It is produced by Sun Pictures, and will be hitting theatres globally on August 14 in multiple languages. ## Stay tuned...

378 days ago

20.7K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' Gets One of The Lowest Ratings In The Opening Weekend

Chennai, June 7 - Indian cinema legends, actor Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam reunited after 38 years for a gangster action drama film Thug Life, which hit the big screen on June 5. The reunion of the two was expected to script a blockbuster, but things have turned into a nightmare for the duo. ## Thug Life was a keenly awaited film, and it generated some hype with decent to good pre-sales. However, despite the big promises, everything has gone wrong for the film since its release, and it seems that the audience has outrightly rejected it. ## The word of mouth for the movie has been poor from the first show, which resulted in below than the expected opening, followed by a big drop on the second day as the total collection of the movie is around 50 crore gross after 2 days. ## Even though there is a holiday on Saturday and Sunday, the chances of a rebound for the movie are almost out of the equation. The audience reception is poor, as the current Google rating for the movie is under 3 out of 10, while IMDb ratings are below 5, which has made things worse and will continue to do so. ## The Google and IMDb ratings of Thug Life are among the lowest for the film in its opening weekend, and it is going down rapidly. There are chances the movie will likely finish under 100 crore gross collection at the worldwide box office. It might cross this cross, but the overall result has already been sealed, which is a disaster. ## The film is produced by Raaj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies, and it also stars Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, and Baburaj in key roles. ## Stay tuned...

388 days ago

17.4K views