Coolie-Fans-on-the-Move-Crossing-Borders-for-Early-Rajnikanth-Screenings

Rajnikanth’s Coolie Frenzy; Fans Cross Borders and Pay Big for First-Day Screenings

Rajinikanth’s Coolie isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural tsunami. With first-day-first-show (FDFS) tickets being sold for a jaw-dropping Rs 4,500 in Chennai, die-hard fans are crossing state borders just to catch the earliest screenings. The mania has destroyed the hype behind some of the major Bollywood films and also changed theaters into amusement park stadiums. 

While black-market tickets and ticket resellers have gone up. What’s the reason behind the madness? When Thalaivar (The Leader) returns to the screen, logic is thrown out the window, and fans will spend any amount of money to experience the grandeur of it all. 

A Phenomenon at the Box Office: Tickets in Overdrive 

Demand for Coolie has shattered norms, and reports of single-screen theaters in Chennai charging Rs. 4,500 per ticket—well above government price caps—have emerged. In Pollachi, a staff member was filmed selling FDFS tickets for Rs. 400, violating Tamil Nadu’s regulations.

Sun Pictures posted on X (Twitter) how fans are crazy outside the theater for booking. ( source: timesofindia.com) 

Fans such as Prabakar, who lives in Chennai, have expressed their sentiment:

"I went to every theatre, but the tickets are reserved or sold out. My options are to pay high black-market rates or wait days for a regular price."

Meanwhile, multiplexes in Bengaluru charge Rs 2,000, and prices for single screens in Mumbai are Rs 250–500.  The black market has that tight of a grip that ticketing apps display sold out almost as soon as booking opens.  

How Border Cinema Crossed?  Fan Crosses State Lines

Since early-morning shows in Tamil Nadu were stopped after a deadly stampede in 2025, fans have driven into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to see 4 A.M. shows.  Aravind, a tech worker from Chennai, shared:  

"We are driving to Nagari (Andhra) for the 4 A.M. show, then heading straight to work. For Thalaivar, distance does not matter."

With Kerala and Karnataka holding 6 A.M.And with Mumbai already having a 5 A.M. show, the migration of Rajini devotees is crossing state borders.

Global Hype: From Singapore to the US

Coolie's reach now extends outside India. A company in Singapore surprised its employees when it gave them paid leave and free tickets to the FDFS, and also gave them a $30 allowance for food. The US pre-sales crossed $128K (₹1.1 crore) in hours, with 4,500 tickets sold between August 13 and August 14. 

When it comes to India, trade analysts predict a Rs. 150 crore+ opening day for the film, which could break Jailer’s record. This prediction holds despite the release of War 2 on August 14. Regardless, Rajinikanth surpasses Coolie in terms of bookings.

Coolie’s Box Office Run: Will it Break Records? 

Coolie is not a movie; it is an event. From black-market ticket wars to more than a handful of editions of fans driving across state lines, the Rajinikanth effect is truly in play. Whether it is houseful signs in the theaters or the thunderous cheers delivered by fans, one thing is certain: Thalaivar’s magic does not fade. Lokesh Kanagaraj has responded to fan theories on a time-travel element in the film, spurred by a watch in the teaser, and teased a big surprise for viewers. 

Will Coolie cross the Rs. 600 crore mark? The box office will reveal the results soon, but for now, the excitement remains relentless.