Coolie Worldwide Box Office Report: Rajinikanth Closes in on Historic Milestone
Rajinikanth’s Coolie at the Box Office
In just 13 days, Coolie (2025), Rajinikanth’s latest collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj, has taken center stage at the worldwide box office. With gross earnings of ₹486.82 crore, the action-heavy entertainer is just ₹2.89 crore away from overtaking one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated blockbusters, Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1.
The journey has not been without challenges. With several major releases—both domestic and international—flooding theatres this week, sustaining footfall will test the film’s staying power. Yet, for now, Rajinikanth continues to dominate headlines with a performance that reaffirms his title as the Superstar.
Fourth Highest-Grossing Tamil Film Globally
Currently, Coolie holds the fourth spot in the list of highest-grossing Tamil films at the worldwide box office. In doing so, it has edged past Thalapathy Vijay’s The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), which had secured a lifetime gross of ₹464.54 crore.
This ranking highlights two important aspects:
- The enduring magnetism of Rajinikanth, even in the face of competition from younger stars.
- The global appeal of Tamil cinema, which now regularly contributes to the worldwide box office collection charts alongside Bollywood and Telugu blockbusters.
Coolie’s Next Target
The immediate milestone for Coolie is clear—surpassing Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1, which grossed ₹489.51 crore globally. Crossing this threshold would not only elevate Coolie to third place among Tamil blockbusters but also cement Rajinikanth’s dominance in the modern era of pan-Indian cinema.
Once achieved, only three titles will stand above it:
- 2.0 (₹668 crore)
- Leo (₹607.66 crore)
- Jailer (₹604.83 crore)
For a film released amid heavy box office competition, reaching close to this league within two weeks is remarkable.
Language-Wise Earnings Breakdown
The earnings of Coolie underline the power of multi-language releases in today’s Indian cinema. Like other Rajinikanth films, it has managed to attract diverse audiences across regional markets.
Box Office Earnings in 13 Days (Net Collections)
| Language | Net Collection (₹ cr) |
| Tamil | 170.23 |
| Telugu | 57.55 |
| Hindi | 33.93 |
| Kannada | 2.55 |
| India Net | 264.26 |
| India Gross | 311.82 |
| Overseas Gross | 175.00 |
| Worldwide Gross | 486.82 |
This breakdown highlights the dominance of the Tamil belt, but also underlines the growing Hindi market for Rajinikanth new movies. While Telugu contributions remain strong, the relatively lower Hindi earnings show the untapped potential if marketing had been more aggressive in North India.
Coolie’s Impact on Rajinikanth’s Career
For over four decades, Rajinikanth has been more than just an actor—he has been a cultural icon whose releases consistently turn into festivals across South India. Yet, every rajnikant movie comes with the question: Can the superstar still command the box office?
With Coolie 2025, the answer is a resounding yes. Crossing the ₹480 crore milestone within two weeks shows that his stardom is intact, despite competition from younger stars like Thalapathy Vijay, Prabhas, and Allu Arjun. In fact, Coolie has outperformed many Salman Khan movies at the Indian box office collection, underlining how Tamil cinema now matches or even surpasses Bollywood in terms of reach.
What’s Next for Rajinikanth?
Fans are already buzzing about Rajinikanth next film, with early reports suggesting another collaboration in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). If true, this could push his career further into the realm of interconnected blockbuster storytelling, a formula that has worked wonders for Hollywood franchises and is gaining ground in India.
In Hindi, fans often ask: क्या रजनीकांत अभी भी बॉक्स ऑफिस का राजा है? The success of Coolie leaves little room for doubt. Even as age advances, his charisma and screen presence remain unmatched.
Box Office Trends: Comparing Coolie with Competitors
The performance of Coolie also opens an interesting debate on box office economics in India. While Bollywood films like Pathaan and Jawan have set records in recent years, Coolie demonstrates that Tamil cinema has carved a permanent place in the global worldwide box office collection conversation.
Below is a comparison of Coolie with other recent mega-hits:
Top Tamil Films vs Bollywood Hits (Worldwide Gross, ₹ cr)
| Film | Industry | Worldwide Gross | Year |
| 2.0 | Tamil | 668 | 2018 |
| Leo | Tamil | 607.66 | 2023 |
| Jailer | Tamil | 604.83 | 2023 |
| Pathaan | Bollywood | 1050+ | 2023 |
| Jawan | Bollywood | 1150+ | 2023 |
| Coolie | Tamil | 486.82 (13 days) | 2025 |
This comparison shows that while Bollywood still dominates globally, Tamil cinema—with films like Coolie—is closing the gap faster than ever.
Lessons for the Industry
- Pan-Indian Strategy Works: Multi-language releases have become essential. Without Telugu and Hindi contributions, Coolie would not have crossed the ₹480 crore mark.
- Overseas Power: ₹175 crore overseas gross proves that Rajinikanth’s films still enjoy massive diaspora appeal, particularly in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and North America.
- Budget Efficiency: While Salman Khan movie budgets often exceed ₹100 crore, Coolie demonstrates how strong content and star power can deliver profits without overspending.
