Debunking the ₹80 crore overseas rights myth for Rajinikanth’s action thriller. Discover the real deal and how this Tamil blockbuster sets new benchmarks. Dive into the truth behind the hype and join the discussion!
In a Nutshell
• Official overseas deal of Coolie
• Why this fake news matters
• My thoughts on this trend
Hello, movie lovers! If you’re as thrilled as I am, you’ve probably been buzzing with excitement to see Rajinikanth‘s next blockbuster movie, Coolie. Handled by the extremely talented Lokesh Kanagaraj, this Tamil action thriller has been making waves even prior to its release on August 14, 2025.
With a galaxy of stars featuring Nagarjuna, Upendra, and a special guest appearance by Aamir Khan, and with a whopping rumored budget of ₹375 crore, no wonder the fans are all too excited to wait for every single update.
But recently, there has been a rumor going around saying that Coolie’s overseas theatrical rights had been sold for a record-breaking ₹80 crore, a new benchmark for Tamil films.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve dug up the facts, and I’m here to tell you this is fake news! Let’s break it down together and get the facts straight.
The Truth Behind the Numbers
So where did this ₹80 crore originate? It seems that it has been driven by a mix of hype and inaccurately reported facts on social media and trade news. As per a report by Himesh Mankad on X (June 18, 2025), the overseas rights of Coolie were actually sold to Ayngaran International for ₹68 crore.
Almost double the ₹35 crore that Rajinikanth’s Jailer —but still below the ₹80 crore mark that’s been circulating. The confusion may have been caused by early rumors or inflated figures by overexcited fans and trade analysts, but the news from reliable sources like Pinkvilla puts things to rest.
Let’s keep things in perspective here. The overseas minimum guarantee (MG) record is now held by Thalapathy Vijay‘s upcoming film, Jana Nayagan, which grossed a reported ₹75 crore. Coolie’s ₹68 crore deal is second on this list, just a bit below that amount. Others like Thug Life (₹63 crore) and Leo (₹60 crore) are also indicative of how competitive this market has become.
The ₹80 crore projection appears to have been hype, perhaps due to the film’s humongous pre-release business—already pocketing ₹230-240 crore from satellite, digital, and music rights.
Hyped-up projections of the figure do not match the established facts, and as a cinemagoer, I think it is my responsibility to debunk the hype when it trumps facts.
The interesting part here is the crew and talent behind the hype. 74-year-young Rajinikanth is still the king with his unmatched charm, and Lokesh Kanagaraj injects his own high-octane energy into the mix. The addition of Nagarjuna’s villainous role adds a chilling factor, and Aamir Khan’s cameo could be the clincher.
But the exaggeration of the rumour mill threatens to overshadow the actual feat. I adore how this team is breaking the mould, but let’s just enjoy the actual ₹68 crore deal for what it is—a demonstration of Rajinikanth’s international fan base and Lokesh’s directorial skills—without adding fantasized pyrotechnics!
Why the Fake News Is Important to Cinema Fans
Now, you might be thinking, “Why should I care about a difference of ₹12 crore?” Having spent many nights arguing with friends over the budgets of movies, I assure you it’s not about the numbers—it’s about faith and expectation. This false news has the potential to mislead fans, create undue expectations, and even affect the way distributors and theatres schedule. Think of the letdown if we all marveled over Coolie breaking records only to discover reality to be slightly less exciting.
That’s like being prepped to wait for a blockbuster surprise, and instead, you get a plot surprise that’s pretty predictable—it’s fun, but not the thrill we were promised!
The overseas Tamil market has become more important, according to industry insiders, since 2010. Malaysia and Singapore are big international markets, while the United States was the biggest in the 20th century.
Coolie’s ₹68 crore deal is evidence of this growth, particularly as it’s a standalone film (apart from Lokesh’s Cinematic Universe), which explores gold smuggling—a new frontier for the director.
However, the ₹80 crore rumour could push the makers to over-project and defy the film’s August 14 release against War 2 with Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. A trade source, as cited by Pinkvilla, states that the War 2 clash may have topped the overseas deal potential, and therefore the ₹68 crore figure sounds plausible.
I’ve been repeatedly impressed at how Tamil cinema walks a tightrope between star power and storytelling, and Coolie appears to do the same. Rajinikanth’s ₹150 crore and Lokesh’s ₹50 crore fee are covered in the budget, with scope for jaw-dropping visuals by Girish Gangadharan and Anirudh Ravichander‘s crackling score.
But false information will overshadow such creativity. It’s like adding too much spice to a good curry—it spoils the taste! Fans like us deserve news that is factual to satisfy our passion, not rumors that confuse us.
One thing I’ve noticed is the fan response on X. While some are over the moon with the ₹80 crore news, posting memes and hype videos, others—such as myself—have been questioning, cross-checking with good sources. This variation in response says as much about how much we’re emotionally invested, but also how quickly misinformation spreads.
Let’s channel the right energy into appreciating the original piece and anticipating the action-packed plot of the movie.
My Take: Remaining True to the Hype
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled about Coolie. The ₹68 crore foreign rights sale alone is a grand success, putting it among the top rungs of Tamil cinema. The ₹80 crore fake news could be a typo that gained popularity or wishful thinking, but it’s a lesson to keep one’s feet grounded.
I appreciate what’s going on here with Rajinikanth’s 50-year legacy and Lokesh’s contemporary style, with epic battles promised with such a stupendous cast.
The slight critique? The clash with War 2 could split the audience, but I’m betting Rajinikanth’s superstardom will shine through.
What I like about this film is that it is able to blend action and emotion, and Lokesh is successful in doing that.
The conspiracy to smuggle gold is gritty-sounding, and with Anirudh’s music (already trending “Power House” track), it will be a feast for the senses. I also look forward to Nagarjuna’s “liberating” role as a villain—his eagerness over the script read-through (as reported to The Hollywood Reporter) is an added layer of interest.
So, my fellow cinemaphiles, let’s be realistic and enjoy Coolie for what it is. Forget the ₹80 crore myth—₹68 crore is still a blockbuster figure! I’m literally drooling to know how this movie will play on the big screen, and I hope you’re as excited as me.
What do you think of Coolie? Let me know your Day 1 predictions in the comment section.
Stay connected with me on X for daily box office updates.
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