Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie is already creating a buzz even before its theatrical release. The film has broken records with the North America theatrical rights being secured by Prathyangira Cinemas for a staggering ₹30 crore Minimum Guarantee (MG), the highest ever paid for a Tamil film in the region. This deal surpasses the previous record set by Leo, which was acquired for ₹18 crore MG.
For those unfamiliar, Minimum Guarantee (MG) is an upfront fixed payment made by the distributor to the producer, guaranteeing a certain revenue for the film. If the film earns beyond that amount, the excess profits are shared between the distributor and producer according to a pre-agreed ratio.
This massive deal is a clear indication of the excitement and anticipation surrounding Coolie, which marks the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Known for his blockbuster action films like Vikram and Kaithi, Kanagaraj is expected to present Rajinikanth in an entirely new avatar, creating further intrigue among fans and audiences worldwide.
The film’s distribution has already set impressive records, with the overseas rights being sold to Hamsini Entertainment for ₹85 crore. This deal marks a huge leap for Tamil cinema in international territories, particularly in North America, where the Tamil diaspora continues to grow in influence. The film now needs to gross approximately $7.5 million at the North American box office to break even, and the prospects seem bright given Rajinikanth's global fanbase.
Coolie boasts a star-studded cast, with Rajinikanth playing the role of Deva. He is supported by Nagarjuna Akkineni (as Simon), Upendra (Kaleesha), Soubin Shahir (Dayal), Shruti Haasan (Preethi), Sathyaraj (Rajasekar), and cameos from Aamir Khan (as Dahaa) and Pooja Hegde, who appears in a special song. The film is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and features music by Anirudh Ravichander. Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie is slated for release on August 14th, and all eyes will be on how it performs in the international market, especially in North America.
