Superstar Rajinikanth is gearing up to return to the silver screen with Coolie, one of the most stunning Tamil films to come out this year. After a charm offensive from one of Tamil cinema’s blockbuster agents, Lokesh Kanagaraj, to talk it up before it’s due out on August 14, 2025, the film is already awash in considerable buzz. In fact, Coolie was just sold for the tremendous sum of ₹68 crore for its overseas theatrical rights before it ever sat down in theaters.
This impressive deal marks a new high for a Rajinikanth starrer, making Coolie the actor’s biggest international sale to date. It is also the second-highest overseas deal in Tamil cinema history, just behind Thalapathy Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan, which sold its international rights for ₹75 crore to Phars Films.Record-Breaking Overseas Deal
As reported exclusively through Pinkvilla, Ayngaran International, the distribution house that has been responsible for major Tamil releases around the globe for years, bought Coolie’s overseas rights. Trade analysts note that this may have achieved an even higher record if not competing for box office with Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR’s action-heavy sequel War 2, which is also set for release on Independence Day weekend. In spite of this, Coolie has still had a strong impact on the global distribution market, not only beating the last record held by Rajinikanth’s last movie, his 2023 hit Jailer, which sold for ₹35 crore overseas, but also exceeding other high-grossing features such as Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life (₹63 crore), Vijay’s Leo (₹60 crore), and The Greatest of All Time (₹53 crore).Here is a side-by-side look at the top Tamil films for the highest overseas rights:
Jana Nayagan—₹75 Cr (Phars Films)
Coolie—₹68 Cr (Ayngaran International)
Thug Life—₹63 Cr (AP International)
Leo—₹60 Cr (Multiple Distributors)
The GOAT—₹53 Cr (Phars Films)
Jailer – ₹35 CrWhat Makes Coolie So Special?
One of the most discussed points about Coolie is the alleged negative role of Rajinikanth, which is different than his usual box-office-bursting avatars as a hero. The film is going to be a raunchy, high-intensity show and seems to fit closely with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s unique narrative and action style.
The film also has a solid supporting cast, which may intensify fan hopes and wants. Senior actors Nagarjuna Akkineni and Upendra Rao have major roles in the film, and Aamir Khan, a Bollywood star, is supposed to make a cameo. Supporting roles include Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Pooja Hegde, who is likely to be in a high-energy dance number.Coolie vs. War 2: A Major Box Office Clash
Despite the large overseas rights deal for Coolie, there are box office watchers wondering how the film would fare in a crowded marketplace with War 2, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR, also releasing in theaters on August 14 to coincide with the long Independence Day weekend, which is assumed to be the best viewing experience for film audiences in India and overseas. However, with stardom, director credibility, and a pan-India cast, Coolie has every chance to perform in overseas markets, especially Tamil, and also in Tamil diaspora markets across Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the US, and the UK. Some of the buzz with Coolie has also been due to Rajinikanth’s latest momentum in the industry. His previous film, Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, was a commercial hit. And Jailer 2, the sequel, is already in the works, with shooting underway. The new entry will feature cameo appearances by Mohanlal. Not to mention Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shiva Rajkumar. Possibly even some of Bollywood star power.
