Lokesh Kanagaraj confirms ₹50 crore pay for Rajinikanth’s Coolie
Tamil director Lokesh Kanagaraj is once again making headlines, this time not just for his next high-octane action film ‘Coolie’ starring superstar Rajinikanth, but for confirming the massive ₹50 crore he is being paid to direct the film. Coming off the success of his blockbuster ‘Leo’ with Thalapathy Vijay, which grossed over ₹600 crore worldwide, Kanagaraj’s market value has soared, and he’s now among the most bankable directors in Indian cinema.
Lokesh Kanagaraj on his ₹50 crore fee and sacrifices for ‘Coolie’
In a recent interview, Lokesh Kanagaraj addressed the reports surrounding his remuneration, confirming that he is indeed receiving ₹50 crore for ‘Coolie’. According to him, this figure reflects not just his value after the success of ‘Leo’, but also the personal sacrifices he has made in the last two years while dedicating himself to the film industry. He noted, “You may talk about the ₹50 crore figure, but it didn’t come overnight. Leo did extremely well, and that played a major part.”
The director added that although he doesn’t like to use the word “sacrifice,” the time invested meant missing out on family moments and milestones. “I’ve missed out on many memories with friends and family. It’s not a complaint, just a reality,” he shared. Despite this, he remains fully excited and optimistic about ‘Coolie’, which he considers one of his most ambitious projects to date.
Coolie set to release on August 14 with massive expectations
‘Coolie’ is scheduled for release on August 14, just in time for the Independence Day holiday weekend. Made on a massive budget of ₹350 crore, the film promises grand visuals, intense action, and a gripping storyline. The cast includes industry heavyweights like Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Shoubin, and Sathyaraj, with a special cameo by Aamir Khan. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
Lokesh Kanagaraj also revealed that the trailer of ‘Coolie’ will drop on August 2, just 12 days before the film’s release. “I only want to deliver one impactful trailer and then the movie. More than that would give away too much,” he said, building anticipation for what fans can expect.
A battle at the box office: Coolie vs War 2
‘Coolie’ won’t be alone at the box office. The same weekend sees the release of ‘War 2’, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. The clash between these two high-profile action films has already created buzz among fans and trade analysts, who are eager to see how both perform. Also Read: Top 10 Superfoods for Glowing Skin: Eat Your Way to Radiance
Still, the excitement around Lokesh Kanagaraj’s collaboration with Rajinikanth gives ‘Coolie’ an edge. With powerful visuals, emotional weight, and an ensemble cast, the film has already generated strong pre-release hype.
Nagarjuna on his role and sharing screen with Rajinikanth
Nagarjuna, who plays the primary antagonist in the film, shared his experience working on ‘Coolie’. “This was unlike anything I’ve done before. I have intense scenes opposite Rajinikanth sir it’s me versus him on screen,” he revealed. His role as a villain is expected to bring fresh energy to the film and create memorable moments between the two stars.
Conclusion:
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ₹50 crore paycheck is a testament to his growing stature in Indian cinema. From the success of ‘Kaithi’ to the pan-India impact of ‘Leo’, and now the mega-scale production of ‘Coolie’, he has proven his consistency in delivering crowd-pulling blockbusters. As the release date inches closer, all eyes are on August 14 to see if this dream combination of Lokesh and Rajinikanth sets the box office on fire once again.
