Overflowing concerts and exuberant festivities mark the feverish fanbase for the movie 'Coolie' in the United Arab Emirates.
In the heart of Dubai, the city's cinemas echoed with excitement as the much-anticipated Tamil film, "Coolie," hit the screens. The movie, marking Rajinikanth's 171st and his 50th year in Indian cinema, was a highly anticipated event, drawing crowds from all corners of the city.
Two notable attendees at the early screening were Santha Balaji, the CTO of a digital tech agency in Dubai, and Rafeez Ahmed, an expat content creator from Tamil Nadu. Both witnessed the frenzied atmosphere that enveloped the Vox Cinemas at Deira City Centre.
Rafeez Ahmed described the scene as celebratory, with traditional Indian drummers and dancers performing outside the hall. He added that every screen at the multiplex was packed to the rafters for the first day, first show of "Coolie."
The movie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for his work on "Vikram," "Master," and "Leo," features a galaxy of stars, including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra Rao, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Aamir Khan, and Shruti Haasan. Apart from these notable cast members, "Coolie" also boasts a talented ensemble, with Pooja Hegde, Rachita Ram, Kanna Ravi, Reba Monica John, Monisha Blessy, Charlie, Kaali Venkat, Lollu Sabha Maaran, Dileepan, Karate Karthi, Rishikanth, and a character named Deva's friend rounding off the cast.
Rajinikanth plays an ageing gold smuggler looking to revive his past glory in "Coolie," a role that has kept fans on the edge of their seats. The movie was released alongside the Hrithik Roshan, NT Rama Rao Junior, and Kiara Advani spy thriller "War 2."
Rafeez Ahmed, reflecting on the screening, stated that every movie of Rajinikanth's on the big screen could potentially be the last, given his advancing age. However, the success of "Coolie" suggests that the legendary actor continues to captivate audiences.
Movie halls in Dubai and Abu Dhabi turned into a show of celebration for the release of "Coolie," with at least 15 screens at one Dubai multiplex, Vox Cinemas at Deira City Centre, running the film as early as 2.30 AM on August 14. The Tamil film reportedly netted nearly Rs 1 billion in global advance sales, a testament to Rajinikanth's enduring popularity.
The production budget for "Coolie" is approximately between Rs 3,500 million and Rs 4,000 million (Dh150 million to Dh172 million), with the film being bankrolled by Sun Pictures, media baron Kalanithi Maran's production company. As the curtains close on the first week of "Coolie's" release, fans and critics alike eagerly await the verdict on this exciting addition to Rajinikanth's illustrious career.
- Santha Balaji and Rafeez Ahmed, who attended the early screening of "Coolie," might have also been interested in catching up on the latest sports news or entertainment programs, given their busy schedules.
- The box office collection of "Coolie" does not only reflect the enduring popularity of Rajinikanth in the world of movies but also gives a boost to the business sector, as the film's success is likely to encourage more investments in the movies-and-tv industry.
- In addition to the excitement surrounding the release of "Coolie" in the Middle East, Rajinikanth fans can catch up on the actor's past works in the entertainment industry through streaming platforms or Special Interest channels dedicated to sports, news, or movies.
