Rajnikanth Fans Cross Borders Eagerly for Premature Showings of His Films
The much-anticipated release of Rajinikanth's Coolie is causing a stir across India, as fans eagerly await the film that promises to be a blockbuster. With a star-studded cast, strategic release timing close to India's Independence Day, and a pan-Indian ensemble, Coolie is set to break records.
Coolie, Rajinikanth's 171st film, has been released widely, including international markets like North America. The film's high anticipation, mixed-to-positive reviews, and the excitement surrounding it have fuelled a frenzy among fans.
The demand for Coolie tickets has reached unprecedented heights, with black market prices for first-day, first-show tickets in Chennai reaching as high as ₹4,500. This is well above the official prices, a clear indication of the film's popularity. Fans are even crossing state borders to attend early shows in neighboring states where screenings begin earlier or ticket prices are more affordable.
In regions like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka, early morning shows (some permitted by local governments) enable fans to see the movie before Tamil Nadu, influencing travel and ticket demand across states.
The box office will reveal if Coolie will break the Rs. 600 crore mark, a feat that would solidify its place among the highest-grossing Indian films.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj has teased a big surprise for viewers in response to fan theories about a time-travel element in the film. This added intrigue has only served to heighten the excitement surrounding Coolie.
However, the demand for Coolie has not been without its challenges. Fans are expressing frustration about tickets being sold out or reserved, leaving them to either pay high black-market rates or wait for regular prices.
Despite these challenges, Coolie has created a cultural phenomenon. The migration of Rajini devotees for Coolie screenings is crossing state borders, with Kerala, Karnataka, and Mumbai also hosting early shows.
In a unique gesture, a company in Singapore provided paid leave, free tickets, and a $30 food allowance for the FDFS of Coolie. This demonstrates the global appeal of the film and the lengths to which fans are willing to go to be a part of the Coolie experience.
Pre-sales in the US for Coolie crossed $128K (₹1.1 crore) within hours, selling 4,500 tickets between August 13 and August 14. This strong pre-release performance suggests that Coolie is poised to make a significant impact at the box office.
As the release date approaches, fans are keeping a close eye on Coolie's box office performance. Will it break Jailer's record for the highest opening day collection? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Coolie has created a cultural phenomenon that will be remembered for a long time.
[1] https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/tollywood/story/rajinikanth-coolie-movie-release-date-1980s-remake-1881245-2022-08-05 [2] https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/coolie-movie-review-rajinikanth-starrer-is-a-crowd-pleaser/article65971400.ece [3] https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/movies/rajinikanths-coolie-releases-worldwide-on-august-13-989251.html [4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/coolie-rajinikanth-starrer-to-release-in-tamil-nadu-on-august-19/articleshow/92993986.cms
Movies-and-TV and entertainment are being amplified by the highly anticipated release of Rajinikanth's Coolie. The excitement surrounding this film has escalated into a cultural phenomenon, attracting fans from across India and beyond.
