Coolie Box Office Collection Day 4: Rajinikanth’s Film Outshines War 2, Nears ₹200 Crore in India
Rajinikanth’s Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has taken the box office by storm, emerging as a juggernaut in its opening weekend. Released on August 14, 2025, the film has not only captivated audiences but also outperformed the much-anticipated War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani. By the end of its fourth day, Coolie has solidified its position as the top-grossing film globally for the weekend, inching closer to the ₹200 crore mark in India and setting new benchmarks worldwide. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its box office performance and why it’s dominating the competition.
Day 4 Box Office Breakdown
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Coolie minted ₹35 crore nett on its fourth day (Sunday, August 17, 2025), despite an 11.39% dip from Saturday’s ₹39.5 crore. This brought its total domestic nett collection to ₹194.25 crore after four days. The film is poised to cross the ₹200 crore mark in India by the end of its fifth day, making it the fastest Tamil film to reach this milestone. Here’s the day-wise domestic nett collection across all languages:
- Day 1 (Thursday, August 14): ₹65 crore [Tamil: ₹44.5 crore; Hindi: ₹4.5 crore; Telugu: ₹15.5 crore; Kannada: ₹0.5 crore]
- Day 2 (Friday, August 15): ₹54.75 crore [Tamil: ₹34.45 crore; Hindi: ₹6.3 crore; Telugu: ₹13.5 crore; Kannada: ₹0.5 crore]
- Day 3 (Saturday, August 16): ₹39.5 crore [Tamil: ₹25.75 crore; Hindi: ₹4.2 crore; Telugu: ₹9.5 crore; Kannada: ₹0.25 crore]
- Day 4 (Sunday, August 17): ₹35 crore [Tamil: ₹22.5 crore; Hindi: ₹4.65 crore; Telugu: ₹6.5 crore; Kannada: ₹0.35 crore]
- Total: ₹194.25 crore
The film’s Tamil version led the charge, contributing the lion’s share, followed by strong performances in Telugu and Hindi markets. On Sunday, Coolie recorded an overall occupancy of 63.75% in Tamil, 49.53% in Telugu, and 41.98% in Hindi, showcasing its widespread appeal across regions.
Global Domination: Outpacing International Giants
Coolie has not only ruled the domestic market but also made waves internationally, grossing an estimated $45.34 million (₹397 crore) worldwide by day 4, according to Comscore. This performance secured its position as the #1 film globally for the extended weekend, surpassing Hollywood releases like Weapons ($44 million) and Freakier Friday ($30 million), as well as War 2 ($30 million). Trade analyst Ramesh Bala noted that Coolie is the second Tamil film and the fifth Indian film to top global box office charts, following Master, RRR, Brahmāstra, and Animal. Early estimates suggest its worldwide gross could reach ₹410 crore by the end of the extended weekend, marking the biggest opening for a Kollywood film ever.
Coolie vs. War 2: The Box Office Clash
The release of Coolie coincided with War 2, the sixth installment in the YRF Spy Universe, directed by Ayan Mukerji. Despite War 2’s star-studded cast and wider screen count across India, Coolie maintained a lead throughout the weekend. War 2 collected ₹31 crore nett on its fourth day, bringing its domestic total to ₹173.60 crore. Its day-wise breakdown includes:
- Day 1: ₹52 crore
- Day 2: ₹57.35 crore
- Day 3: ₹33.25 crore
- Day 4: ₹31 crore
While War 2 performed strongly in the Hindi belt and saw a peak on day 2, it couldn’t match Coolie’s consistent dominance, particularly in Tamil Nadu and among the Tamil diaspora in markets like North America, the UK, and Southeast Asia. Coolie’s international gross of ₹160 crore ($18 million) further outpaced War 2’s $31.52 million (₹276.5 crore). Posts on X highlighted Coolie’s stronger advance bookings in international markets, with a gross of ₹22 crore compared to War 2’s ₹3.2 crore before release.
Why Coolie is Winning Hearts and Wallets
Coolie, Rajinikanth’s 171st film, is a high-octane action thriller featuring the superstar as a retired coolie entangled in a gangster’s world, played by Nagarjuna. The film boasts a stellar ensemble, including Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and a cameo by Aamir Khan. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s signature masala style, coupled with Anirudh Ravichander’s electrifying soundtrack, has created a cinematic spectacle that resonates with audiences. Social media buzz, including WhatsApp-forwarded clips of the 20-minute climax, and Rajinikanth’s iconic hero entries have fueled its replay value. Despite mixed reviews, with some critics noting overlong action sequences, the film’s mass appeal and Rajinikanth’s star power have driven its success.
The Road Ahead
As Coolie approaches the ₹200 crore mark in India, the weekday performance will be crucial. Trade analysts predict it could net ₹15–18 crore on Monday, securing its place as a record-breaker. The film’s ability to maintain 50% occupancy in evening shows, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, will determine its longevity. Meanwhile, War 2 may leverage its premium formats and Hindi belt audience to narrow the gap, but Coolie’s momentum seems unstoppable.
A Milestone for Rajinikanth
Coolie marks a significant milestone, celebrating Rajinikanth’s 50 years in cinema. Industry stalwarts like Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal, along with political figures like PM Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, have lauded his legacy. Rajinikanth’s heartfelt responses on X reflect the overwhelming support he’s received, further amplifying the film’s cultural impact.
Final Thoughts
Coolie’s box office triumph over War 2 and its global dominance underscore Rajinikanth’s enduring star power and the universal appeal of Tamil cinema. With ₹194.25 crore nett in India and nearly ₹400 crore worldwide in just four days, the film has redefined box office benchmarks. As it races toward ₹200 crore domestically and beyond, Coolie proves that when Thalaiva steps onto the screen, the world watches—and celebrates.
Disclaimer: Box office figures are based on early estimates and may vary slightly as final numbers are confirmed. For the latest updates, refer to trusted industry trackers like Sacnilk or Comscore.
