Nagarjuna Says Coolie’s Blockbuster Response Has Been Historic, Lauds Partnership With Rajinikanth: ‘Records Had To Break’

Akkineni Nagarjuna might be lethal, wildly wicked, unabashed and unapologetic on screen in Coolie, but right now, the legend is also on cloud nine. As his latest action thriller Coolie sets new box office records globally and wins fans across the world, Nagarjuna feels this had to happen with the powerhouse combination of him and Superstar Rajinikanth.

In the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial, Nagarjuna has stunned fans with his menacing antagonist turn as Simon— the ruthless killer. The screen icon’s performance has earned him widespread acclaim, with critics noting his commanding presence, which adds to the chemistry every time his character comes face-to-face with Rajinikanth.

“The love that Coolie has received across the world has been nothing short of historic,” Nagarjuna says on the film’s reception as Coolie emerged as the highest day-one grosser for a Tamil film worldwide, raking in over Rs. 151 crore.

What has been particularly interesting about the box office performance of Coolie is the substantial contribution to collections from its Telugu versions, aided by Nagarjuna’s star power and pull. Even on day one, despite being a Tamil-language original, Coolie smashed the box office in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with Telugu versions raking in collections over Rs. 17 crore gross.

The Telugu audience came with full fervor even in North America, where it contributed a whopping $1.3 million from the day one total of $3.9 million— significantly higher than the Telugu version of War 2 (around $604k) in the same region.

“Partnering with Rajinikanth on a film of this scale was an unforgettable experience — there’s a magnetic magic when two journeys like ours meet on screen. We knew we were part of something special and the energy around the film is an indicator of the same. The unanimous response to my role has been overwhelming. It’s a reminder that great cinema is built on collaboration, chemistry, and the thrill of giving audiences something they will remember long after the credits roll. From the sets to the theatres, Coolie has been a celebration of legacy and reinvention — records had to break, and they did,” Nagarjuna adds.

The smashing success of Coolie continues Nagarjuna’s blockbuster streak after this year’s Kuberaa. Up next, the actor will be seen on the big screen again as his iconic Telugu film Siva gears up for a grand re-release in cinemas in 4K and Dolby Atmos.