Rajinikanth’s Rs 150 Cr pay to Aamir Khan, Pooja Hegde's fees: A look at actors' salaries of Lokesh Kanagarag's film

The upcoming movie Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring superstar Rajinikanth, is one of the most awaited films in India. The movie also features a powerful cast including Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Upendra, and Pooja Hegde. Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie is set to release on August 14, 2025, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and other Indian languages.

According to reports, the total budget of Coolie is a massive Rs 375 crore. Rajinikanth alone is being paid Rs 150 crore, making him one of the highest-paid actors in India. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is receiving Rs 50 crore, which is also a record for any Indian filmmaker. The remaining Rs 150 crore is being used for production costs and other cast and crew. An additional Rs 25 crore has been kept aside for marketing and promotions.

Despite the huge investment, the makers have already earned Rs 240 crore before the film’s release. They have sold digital rights for Rs 130 crore, satellite rights for Rs 90 crore, and music rights for Rs 20 crore. This means they now only need to make Rs 135 crore through theatre collections to break even.

To cover this amount, the film must earn a worldwide gross of at least Rs 400 crore. While this is not easy, it’s possible considering the buzz around the movie and Rajinikanth’s massive fan following. However, the real challenge lies in how well the film performs in the Telugu and Hindi markets, which are key for national success. If the Telugu version earns around Rs 60 crore and Hindi brings in Rs 30–40 crore, the film has a good chance of becoming a hit.

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Interestingly, while the team behind Coolie would love the movie to reach the 1000-crore club and become the first Tamil film to do so, they are now setting a more realistic expectation of Rs 400 crore. This shift in public messaging shows that the makers are playing it smart by managing expectations.

All eyes are now on August 14, 2025, when Coolie hits the big screen. The film’s performance will be closely watched not just for its star cast, but also for its huge budget and clash with YRF’s WAR 2.