Rajinikanth's Coolie Gets 'A' Certificate From CBFC; A First For Director Lokesh Kanagaraj
Chennai, August 1 - Superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action thriller film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has been officially awarded an 'A' (Adults Only) certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the makers announced on Friday. ## This marks a significant moment in both Rajinikanth's and Lokesh's careers. For Rajinikanth, this is the first A-rated film in nearly 36 years, with the last one believed to be the 1989 release Siva. For Lokesh, known for his high-octane action thrillers, Coolie becomes the first film in his directorial journey to receive an adult rating. ## The 'A' certificate is reportedly due to the film’s uncompromising portrayal of violence and intense action sequences, something Lokesh also hinted at in a recent interview. The director, who is popular for his stylised narrative style seen in films like Vikram and Leo, wanted to bring a new edge to Rajinikanth’s mass appeal with a darker and more intense treatment, which naturally led to the adult certification. ## While the rating adds a level of intrigue, it also presents a challenge for the film’s box office performance in family-oriented markets, especially when the runtime is reportedly around 3 hours. Traditionally, Rajinikanth films enjoy a wide demographic appeal, including family audiences. However, reports suggest that the bold move might pay off by attracting younger urban viewers looking for a more hard-hitting experience. ## The makers have announced a grand trailer launch event on August 2 in Chennai, which is expected to be attended by the entire cast and crew. Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie is set to release worldwide on August 14, 2025, in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada languages.## Stay tuned...