Rajinikanth’s latest action-packed film Coolie stormed the box office during its opening weekend, but the midweek phase has told a different story. Despite a sharp decline in weekday earnings, the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial has crossed the ₹220 crore mark in net collections across India within just seven days of release, cementing its status as one of the biggest commercial successes of 2025 so far.

Coolie, released on August 14, opened to massive footfall due to the Independence Day holiday weekend. With stellar performances, powerful direction, and Anirudh Ravichander’s gripping score, the film attracted fans in huge numbers. But as weekdays set in, the euphoria seemed to dip—although not enough to derail the movie’s remarkable momentum.

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How did Coolie perform at the box office during Week 1?

Coolie kicked off with a record-breaking Day 1 collection of ₹65 crore, primarily driven by strong Tamil Nadu numbers. The extended holiday weekend further pushed the momentum, with Friday collections at ₹54.75 crore, Saturday at ₹39.5 crore, and Sunday at ₹35.25 crore. These figures brought the extended weekend total to over ₹194 crore.

The story changed dramatically post-weekend. On its first Monday, the film saw a steep 65.96% drop, collecting ₹12 crore. Tuesday earnings dipped further to ₹9.5 crore. By Day 7, the movie had collected ₹4.24 crore till 8 PM, with final numbers settling around ₹220.24 crore net across India.

Even with the weekday slowdown, Coolie outperformed many recent big releases and managed to hold its ground thanks to its core fanbase and regional appeal.

What do occupancy rates and audience trends reveal about Coolie’s performance?

Despite the weekday drop in earnings, Coolie showed stable occupancy trends in key regions. On Day 7, the Tamil version recorded an overall occupancy of 19.59%, starting at 15.50% in morning shows, increasing to 19.35% in the afternoon, and peaking at 23.91% in the evening. This upward curve highlights sustained interest among Tamil audiences.

The Telugu version also experienced a steady increase, with morning occupancy at 13.81%, rising to 15.72% in the afternoon, and reaching 17.49% in the evening. Meanwhile, the Hindi version saw modest engagement, beginning at 5.60% in the morning and maintaining around 12.13% through evening shows.

Geographically, Chennai led with the highest occupancy, followed by Coimbatore, Madurai, and Bengaluru. These cities continued to support the film despite a national drop in weekday turnout.

How does Coolie compare to other major 2025 releases like War 2?

Coolie has clearly edged past its competitors in terms of opening strength and Week 1 total. While War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, also crossed the ₹200 crore mark in its first week, it experienced a steeper decline on weekdays. Comparatively, Coolie held its ground better across multiple languages, especially in the South Indian markets.

The film has also set benchmarks in 2025 for:

Fastest Tamil film to reach ₹200 crore in net collections.
One of the top three openers of the year.
Highest Tamil occupancy across a non-festival release.

Is Coolie a long-term box office winner or a one-week wonder?

While Week 1 collections and occupancy trends showcase a strong performance, Week 2 will be crucial in determining the film’s long-term box office fate. Sustained collections beyond the opening week will depend on word-of-mouth, competition from upcoming releases, and its performance in non-Tamil markets.

Still, Rajinikanth’s star power, combined with Kanagaraj’s cinematic universe and slick action, gives Coolie a strong foundation. If the film maintains even a modest pace in the coming days, it is well-positioned to cross the ₹300 crore mark globally and potentially rival the lifetime collections of some of the biggest blockbusters in recent years.

With ₹220 crore earned in its first week, Coolie stands as one of 2025’s most successful Indian films, proving that Rajinikanth’s box office appeal remains as powerful as ever.

For your information:

What is Coolie’s Day 7 box office collection?
As of August 20, Coolie earned ₹4.24 crore till 8 PM on its seventh day, taking the total India net collection to ₹220.24 crore.

How much did Coolie earn in its opening weekend?
Coolie earned approximately ₹194 crore during its opening four-day weekend, from August 14 to August 17.

Why did Coolie see a weekday drop in collections?
The drop was due to typical post-holiday decline in attendance, combined with limited traction in Hindi-speaking markets.

How is Coolie performing across different regions?
The Tamil version performed the strongest, especially in Chennai and Coimbatore. Telugu regions saw steady growth, while the Hindi version showed moderate engagement.

Is Coolie the highest opener for Rajinikanth?
Yes, Coolie marks Rajinikanth’s highest Day 1 opener and one of the top three openers in Tamil cinema history.

What’s next for Coolie at the box office?
Coolie’s second weekend will be key in determining whether it can sustain momentum and surpass the ₹300 crore milestone.