The countdown has begun for what promises to be the biggest box office clash of the year — Rajinikanth’s mass actioner ‘Coolie’ vs Hrithik Roshan’s high-octane thriller ‘War 2’. With less than a week to go, anticipation has hit a fever pitch, and advance bookings for ‘Coolie’ are already setting records.

Early bookings have opened in select theatres across India, with more screens expected to join in the coming days. In Kerala and Karnataka, ‘Coolie’ will roar into cinemas with 6 am shows on August 14, while Tamil Nadu will begin its first screenings at 9 am, following a government mandate banning early morning shows after a fan tragically died during the FDFS of Thunivu in 2023.

Watch the trailer of the movie here:

In Kerala, ticket bookings go live at 10.30 am on August 8. Selected theatres in the state are gearing up for early morning fan celebrations, with 6 AM shows already confirmed. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu theatres are issuing clear advisories: those below 18 will not be allowed entry, following the film's A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.

Coolie is also stirring excitement globally. In the UK, the film has been cleared without any cuts and will premiere at 12.30 am local time (5 am IST). Dubai is currently listing shows from 9.30 am IST, with more likely to be added soon.

Trade analysts are already predicting fireworks at the box office. The film has raked in a staggering $2 million in advance sales, with $1.3 million coming from North America alone. Distributor Prathyangira Cinemas revealed that over 50,000 tickets have been sold in the region so far.

Backed by a powerhouse ensemble cast — Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Aamir Khan, and Shruti Haasan — Coolie is uniting fanbases across regions and languages like never before. The film is poised to make a historic mark, with industry watchers now wondering: Can ‘Coolie’ become Kollywood’s first Rs 1,000-crore blockbuster? Only time — and the thunderous response from fans — will answer that.