Rajinikanth’s Coolie crosses ₹225 crore in first week; outpaces Hrithik Roshan’s War 2 at box office

Superstar Rajinikanth’s latest outing Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has scripted a formidable run at the domestic box office, crossing the Rs 225-crore mark at the close of its extended first week, according to trade estimates.

The gangster drama, which opened to packed houses on August 14, set the cash registers ringing with a remarkable Rs 65 crore nett on Day 1 across all languages. Though collections tapered slightly to Rs 54.75 crore on the second day and Rs 39.5 crore on the third, the film held strong through the Independence Day weekend, adding another Rs 35.25 crore on Day 4.

As is often the case, weekday earnings saw a sharp correction, with Monday witnessing a 66 per cent fall to Rs 12 crore nett. The film’s subsequent daily figures — Rs 9.5 crore on Tuesday, Rs 7.5 crore on Wednesday, and Rs 6.5 crore on Thursday — consolidated Coolie’s domestic total at an impressive Rs 229.75 crore nett by the end of Week 1.

Coolie features Rajinikanth as a former labour union leader who embarks on a vengeful quest following his friend’s murder. The ensemble cast includes Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Pooja Hegde, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj.

Meanwhile, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and released on the same day, has had a more modest showing. The Ayan Mukerji-helmed YRF spy thriller collected Rs 52 crore nett on opening day and Rs 57.85 crore on the second, but slipped to Rs 33.25 crore and Rs 32.65 crore on subsequent days. With weekday numbers steadily declining — Rs 8.75 crore on Monday, Rs 8.25 crore on Tuesday, Rs 5.5 crore on Wednesday, and Rs 5 crore on Thursday — the film has so far amassed ₹204.25 crore nett.

A sequel to the 2019 blockbuster, War 2 sees Roshan reprise his role as RAW agent Major Kabir Dhaliwal, joined by Kiara Advani and Jr. NTR in pivotal roles.