Rajinikanth's highly anticipated film Coolie has landed in the Madras High Court as Sun Pictures challenges the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) decision to award the film an 'A' certificate. The producers argue that the film's certification, which restricts viewers under 18, is unjustly harsh when compared to other major films like KGF and Beast, which received U/A certificates despite having similar action sequences.
The issue surfaced when Sun Pictures appealed for a U/A certificate, believing that the film, featuring high-octane action scenes, should be classified similarly to other big-budget releases. The petition was admitted by Justice TV Thamilselvi on August 19, and a hearing was scheduled for the following day. During the legal proceedings, government counsel A Kumaraguru argued that the appeal was not maintainable, but Sun Pictures’ legal team, led by senior advocate J Ravindran, successfully contested this, citing the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, which grants the High Court jurisdiction over such appeals.
Despite multiple requests for reconsideration, the CBFC's examining and revising committees maintained the 'A' certificate for Coolie, primarily due to the film's violent content. However, Sun Pictures has highlighted that Rajinikanth's massive fanbase spans generations, and younger audiences—who make up a significant portion of his fan base should have access to the film. The producers argue that preventing children and teenagers from watching Coolie undermines the spirit of the film, which was designed as a mass entertainer to celebrate Rajinikanth's 50 years in cinema.
The controversy surrounding the film's certification has led to disputes in theatres across Tamil Nadu, where parents have reportedly clashed with theatre owners to allow children entry. The film, produced on a massive budget, also features an ensemble cast with Nagarjuna Akkineni and Aamir Khan, making it one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. As Coolie continues its theatrical run, the legal proceedings in the Madras High Court will be crucial in determining whether the film will be allowed to reach a broader audience or if the ‘A’ certificate will stand.
