Telugu cinema has consistently delivered big at the pan-India level, setting benchmarks at the box office. Tamil cinema, however, is still in search of that perfect formula to capture nationwide attention. After the much-hyped Indian 2 starring Kamal Haasan failed to deliver at the box office, the focus has now shifted to Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie.

Coolie boasts a massive star cast with pan-India appeal, but the film’s biggest strength is undoubtedly Rajinikanth’s unmatched craze. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, a filmmaker who enjoys a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim, the movie aims to break language barriers. Though Lokesh’s films have been well received in the North, he is yet to score a full-fledged pan-India blockbuster.

Interestingly, the title “Coolie” already has recognition in Hindi-speaking regions, thanks to Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic 1983 blockbuster. Adding to the curiosity is the fact that Amitabh recently acted in Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyaan. If Big B chooses to promote Coolie out of their friendship, it could significantly enhance the film’s reach in North India.

Further boosting its appeal, Aamir Khan makes a cameo appearance in the film—a casting move that could help draw North Indian audiences. In addition, Shruti Haasan and Nagarjuna Akkineni, who also appear in the film, have previously worked in Hindi cinema and enjoy recognition beyond the South.

While Indian 2 came with its own strong points, its failure was attributed to weak script execution. Coolie, on the other hand, can take a lesson from that misstep—ensuring the content matches the scale of its marketing. Word of mouth will be crucial.

One major hurdle, however, will be its direct box office clash with War 2. If Coolie offers strong content and mass appeal, it stands a chance to perform well regardless of the competition.

If successful, Coolie could open the door for more Tamil films to make a mark on the pan-India stage, just as Telugu cinema has done in recent years.