Rajinikanth’s 'Coolie' becomes one of India’s costliest films with a budget of ₹375 crore

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s 'Coolie,' starring the legendary Rajinikanth, is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited films in Indian cinema. The high-octane action thriller boasts a star-studded lineup including Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, Upendra, and Pooja Hegde.

With the film’s release slated for August 15, excitement among fans and industry insiders is reaching a fever pitch. Behind the scenes, the film is backed by a massive budget, reflecting the scale and ambition of the mega-budget film.Record-breaking budget and salaries highlight film’s grandeurA source close to Pinkvilla reveals that 'Coolie' is being made on an estimated budget of ₹350 crore, covering everything from star salaries to production costs.

Rajinikanth is reportedly receiving an unprecedented ₹150 crore upfront fee, making it one of the highest paychecks ever awarded to an actor. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is also commanding a record ₹50 crore, setting new benchmarks in the industry. The remaining ₹150 crore is allocated to production expenses and payments for the rest of the ensemble cast.

An additional ₹25 crore has been set aside for print and publicity, bringing the total investment close to ₹375 crore.

Strong pre-release deals Make 'Coolie' a low-risk blockbusterFinancially, 'Coolie' appears to be a relatively low-risk venture thanks to strong pre-release deals. Digital streaming rights have reportedly been sold for ₹130 crore, satellite rights fetched ₹90 crore, and music rights contributed another ₹20 crore. Together, these non-theatrical earnings amount to ₹240 crore, meaning the film needs to recover only ₹135 crore from box office collections to break even.Multi-language release poised for pan-Indian success

'Coolie' is planned for a wide release across multiple languages including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi on August 14, 2025. With its star power, high production values, and strategic pre-release deals, the film is poised to be a major blockbuster that caters to audiences nationwide.