The buzz surrounding Coolie, the much-awaited action thriller featuring Superstar Rajinikanth, just grew stronger with Telugu cinema royalty Nagarjuna Akkineni entering the fray to release the film in the Telugu states. With insane hype building around director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s dream team-up with Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna’s move is a big one for the Telugu film industry before the release of the film in all parts of the world on August 14, 2025.
Released under the banner of Annapurna Studios, Nagarjuna’s purchase of the Telugu rights of Coolie is a surprise turn of events in the industry. What makes the move more newsworthy is that Nagarjuna allegedly quoted far higher than other big-shot distributors, such as Dil Raju, Naga Vamsi, and Asian Suneel. His daring bid reflects the enormous confidence he has in Coolie’s box office prospects in the Telugu belt — and fans are hailing it as a masterstroke.
Nagarjuna’s Power Move Shakes the Industry
Sources close to the transaction disclosed that Nagarjuna’s bid was not only competitive — it was aggressive and visionary. While a few prime Telugu distribution houses were in the running, none came close to the magnitude and scope of Nagarjuna’s bid. It is not only business — it is conviction. Nagarjuna has proved, once again, that he has an excellent eye for market direction and movie worth.
By acquiring Coolie’s Telugu rights, Nagarjuna not just jumps into the commercial battle for one of the most eagerly awaited Indian movies of 2025 but also positions himself with the behemoth brand of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s “Lokesh Cinematic Universe” and the unparalleled mass popularity of Rajinikanth.
This strategic tie-up is likely to increase the visibility of the film in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by leaps and bounds. For Coolie, this is not merely a theatrical outing — it’s a stardom celebration in two big film industries.
Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna: A Dream Combo for Telugu Fans
Although Coolie is technically a Tamil production, having Nagarjuna Akkineni in the star cast bridges the cross-over gap between Kollywood and Tollywood. His presence infuses a predominant Telugu flavor into the movie, which transcends being a dubbed film — it becomes a pan-Indian experience designed for Telugu audiences.
With Nagarjuna also now assuming distribution responsibilities, the Telugu market promotional strategies are likely to go local and have an impact. His association with the people in both the Telugu states is so deeply rooted that Coolie will be able to reach every corner of the region with a word of mouth that only a local superstar can create.
Coolie: A Blockbuster in the Making
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie reunites the mastermind who directed blockbusters such as Vikram and Kaithi, and the icon who redefined Indian cinema — Rajinikanth. The movie, originally titled Thalaivar 171, is the Superstar’s 171st outing in a leading role and is set to be an action-packed, gritty, and cinematic spectacle.
Shot widely in Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok, the film has a rich visual canvas and adrenaline-fueled action sequences. Cinematographer Girish Gangadharan, who is known to bring dynamism to his frames, and editor Philomin Raj, make sure that Coolie will be as technically impressive as it is emotionally impactful. Anirudh Ravichander’s musical score contributes yet another dose of expectation, since fans are waiting for his next chartbuster music.
Complementing its big opening, Coolie is to hit the screens in both regular and IMAX formats, guaranteeing a bigger-than-life experience — particularly in Telugu states where IMAX theatres have now become big crowd-pullers.
Annapurna Studios Takes Charge of a Mass Spectacle
With Annapurna Studios spearheading distribution, anticipation for the kind of high-scale, well-planned promotional campaign in Telugu is high. With their reputation for excellence, professional execution, and creative expertise, Annapurna Studios is one of Tollywood’s most reliable banners. The tie-up with Sun Pictures for Coolie augments the film’s penetration and brand recognition in southern India.
The studio has already started mapping out a detailed release plan with pre-release events, city tours, TV tie-ups, and digital campaigns to create maximum buzz. With the record-breaking pre-release buzz, Coolie is set to mark one of the biggest openings ever for a non-Telugu film in Telugu box office history.
A Star-Packed Affair
Apart from Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna, Coolie has an impressive cast that includes Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and Monisha Blessy. With all these versatile actors in place, the movie is going to provide a blend of action, drama, emotion, and unforgettable characters.
The reports indicate that the story is filled with socio-political undertones, with Rajinikanth essaying a mass leader of the working class — a symbolic and real-life coolie who turns against oppression. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s signature writing and his command over action choreography are likely to bring out the strongest Rajinikanth avatar in recent memory.
All Eyes on August 14, 2025
The countdown to Coolie’s release has started. With Independence Day weekend providing a holiday window, analysts are predicting Coolie to sweep not only in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, but in all major box office circuits in India and overseas.
The film is coming out when the Indian consumer is becoming more and more ready for pan-India cinema. With Nagarjuna now at the helm of its Telugu release, Coolie is on the verge of being a lingua franca cultural phenomenon.
For the fans of Rajinikanth as well as Nagarjuna, Coolie is not just a film — it’s an event.
Read Also :- Vada Chennai 2 Gears Up: Dhanush Confirms Shoot from Next Year!
Conclusion
Nagarjuna’s buying of Coolie’s Telugu rights is no mere business decision — it’s a declaration of intent. By intervening and outbidding leading distributors, the King of Tollywood has put his full might behind what promises to be one of the biggest spectacles of Indian cinema in years.
With Annapurna Studios poised to unfurl the red carpet for the Telugu crowd, the stage is all set. The Coolie revolution starts — and it’s coming with fire, fists, and full-blown fanfare.
Mark your calendars: August 14, 2025.
Follow us on Instagram
