Rajinikanth’s Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, burst into theaters with an electrifying opening, raking in over ₹65 crore on its first day across all languages. The film’s explosive debut sparked a wave of excitement among fans, especially in Tamil Nadu, where the superstar’s devoted followers turned the release into a celebratory event. However, the numbers from the second day tell a different tale, with some versions holding strong while others experienced a noticeable dip.
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Join Telegram ChannelThe Hindi version of Coolie surprised everyone on day 2, showing a significant increase in occupancy. After a solid start, it gained even more traction, thanks to positive word-of-mouth among North Indian audiences and the curiosity of viewers who may not be as familiar with Rajinikanth’s recent films. This sharp uptick stood in contrast to the Tamil version, which saw a decline of about 22% in morning show occupancy compared to its opening day.
This drop was particularly surprising since the second day coincided with a National Holiday—an occasion that usually boosts cinema attendance. On the first day, the Tamil version boasted an impressive 81% morning occupancy, but by day 2, it had slipped to around 63.8%. The Telugu version followed a similar pattern, dropping from an outstanding 91% morning occupancy on day 1 to a more modest 68% the next day. These declines suggest that while Coolie attracted die-hard fans right away, keeping that momentum going might require a stronger appeal to casual audiences during the weekdays.
One major factor influencing this shift is the competition from War 2, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. On its opening day, Coolie managed to outshine its rival, but by day 2, the tables seemed to turn, with War 2 showing a more robust growth trajectory. The Hindi audience, in particular, seems to be leaning more towards the slick, spy-action thrills of War 2, while Coolie is strongly appealing to regional markets and fans of Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life persona.
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When it comes to ticket sales for Coolie, the numbers from day 2 really show how occupancy has shifted. While advance bookings are still looking good, especially in key markets, the walk-in crowds just didn’t match the excitement of opening day. This is pretty typical for films with huge fan followings—the first day feels like a big celebration, and the days that follow depend more on repeat viewers and the general audience.
Even with this drop, it’s too early to write Coolie off. Rajinikanth’s movies have a history of performing well over time, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where people love to watch films multiple times. Plus, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction, which mixes thrilling action with elements that appeal to the masses, has been getting positive reviews, which could help keep the film’s performance steady in the days ahead.
Another interesting point is the significant growth of the Hindi version on day 2, which might suggest a more even performance across different regions as the weekend goes on. If the North continues to show strong numbers, it could balance out some of the weaker results in the Tamil and Telugu markets. This is especially crucial if Coolie wants to compete with War 2 in the overall national box office race.
After two days, the film’s total is still expected to be impressive, but how it trends day by day will be key in determining whether Coolie can keep up with its competitors’ box office success. With a strong brand, a superstar in the lead role, and a director who’s at the top of his game, the film still has a lot of appeal. However, the upcoming weekdays will be crucial—if the drop in occupancy continues, it might suggest that the film is heavily reliant on its opening weekend.
Right now, Coolie is at a pivotal moment. The explosive start has given it a solid base, but the mixed results from the second day raise some concerns about its longevity in a busy release period.
