Madras High Court backs Rajinikanth’s Coolie in fight against potential leak and piracy; directs BSNL, Airtel, Jio to block websites streaming pirated copies

With just hours remaining for the first-day-first-show (FDFS) of director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Rajinikanth-led Coolie, one of the most anticipated Indian movies of the year, a “Thalaivar fever” has gripped the country, and fans are all set to mark the occasion with customary excitement. Given that Coolie marks the first collaboration between one of the biggest stars in the country and one of the most successful filmmakers in contemporary Indian cinema, audience expectations are at an all-time high.

In fact, the makers have already managed to ensure that the massive hype translates into box office business, with Coolie clocking far better advance booking figures compared to Rajinikanth’s most recent films. As of 1 pm on Wednesday, the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial’s advance booking gross stands at Rs 28.4 crore (Rs 37.31 crore including block seats), compared to Vettaiyan’s (2024) Rs 15.22 crore, Jailer’s (2023) Rs 18.24 crore, Annaatthe’s (2021) Rs 23.25 crore and Darbar’s (2020) Rs 23.7 crore. Thus, it is almost certain that the movie will deliver Rajinikanth’s highest opening day collection. Now it remains to be seen if Coolie will be able to break the release day record set by “Thalapathy” Vijay’s Leo (2023), helmed by Lokesh himself, which opened to a thunderous Rs 148 crore worldwide.

Also Read | Rajinikanth faces heat for ‘body shaming’ Coolie co-star Soubin Shahir at audio launch: ‘Imagine if it were Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna or Mohanlal…’

Meanwhile, production house Sun Pictures has gone all out to ensure that nothing impedes the expected smashing run of the big-budget actioner at the box office. Recently, it moved the Madras High Court as a precautionary measure to safeguard the movie from piracy. On Monday, The Hindu reported, the HC passed an order restraining 36 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) located across the country from permitting “rogue websites” to stream pirated versions of the film.

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The ex-parte injunction was granted against ISPs like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Bharti Airtel, Tata Communications, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Communication, among others. It has mandated ISPs to prevent copyright infringement of the movie by blocking not only existing websites but also any future sites that might stream pirated versions of Coolie. The production company has also procured a similar order against five cable television networks.

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Also starring Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan and Sathyaraj, as well as Aamir Khan in a cameo role, Coolie boasts music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj. The movie will hit the screens on August 14.