CBFC grants certificate to Coolie, the new Rajinikanth movie; trailer release time unveiled.
In an unexpected twist, the highly-anticipated film "Coolie," directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring the legendary Rajinikanth, has received an Adults Only (A) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This rating is significant as Lokesh Kanagaraj's previous films, such as "Vikram" and "Leo," were awarded U/A certificates, indicating lighter censor restrictions.
The A certificate for "Coolie" is primarily due to its strong and intense action sequences, which remain unaltered to preserve the impact of the film's violence. The CBFC granted the A certificate without any cuts, a rare occurrence in Rajinikanth's filmography, whose movies traditionally cater to family audiences. In fact, Rajinikanth's last A-certified film was "Siva" (1989), making "Coolie" a rare venture after a gap of 36 years.
Fans and observers were taken aback by this rating, given Rajinikanth's films typically aim for a broader, family-friendly audience. However, the gritty content and Lokesh Kanagaraj's uncompromising approach to the portrayal of violence and maturity in the story have been applauded.
"Coolie" is set to hit theatres on August 14. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, Monisha Blessy, and Aamir Khan in a special cameo appearance. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran of Sun Pictures.
The theatrical trailer for "Coolie" will be launched today (August 2) at 7 pm in Chennai. Despite reports suggesting a hefty payment of Rs 50 crore for the film, Lokesh Kanagaraj has denied these claims. The film's budget stands at a substantial Rs 400 crores ($46.6 million).
Notably, "Coolie" will clash with Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR-starrer "War 2," directed by Ayan Mukerji, at the box office. The film is expected to gross 500 crores ($57 million) from the pre-release business. As the release date approaches, anticipation for "Coolie" continues to grow, promising a thrilling cinematic experience for audiences.
The unconventional A certificate for "Coolie" indicates that it falls under the 'entertainment' category with a mature emphasis, moving away from the family-friendly reputation Rajinikanth's movies often hold. In the highly competitive 'business' landscape of the movies-and-tv industry, "Coolie" promises to offer a thrilling cinematic experience to audiences, potentially clashing with the forthcoming movie "War 2" at the box office and generating a significant pre-release business of 500 crores ($57 million).
