Rajinikanth’s “Coolie” gets an unexpected ‘A’ rating from the CBFC. Discover why the censor board denied a U/A certificate, what it means for fans, and how Lokesh Kanagaraj’s intense action direction played a key role.
The excitement surrounding Coolie, Rajinikanth’s highly anticipated film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, just took a nail-biting turn. Out of nowhere, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave it an ‘A’ certificate, adding intrigue, discussion, and also a lot of excitement. But what exactly made the censor board give this action-heavy film an Adults Only certification?
Rajinikanth + Lokesh Kanagaraj = Explosive Expectations
When two of the biggest names in Tamil cinema—Superstar Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj—come together, the audience expectations are naturally explosive! Lokesh is exceptionally good at producing hard-hitting action thrillers like Kaithi and Vikram; he is best known for his potency, zero product filtering, and authenticity. And Rajinikanth? He’s a sorely missed, larger-than-life icon for all generations.
So when Coolie came on the scene, it promised everything pleasing—mass action, style, and substance. But few could have predicted that it would be Rajinikanth’s first ‘A’ certified film in a long time.
Why Did CBFC Say No to a U/A for “Coolie”?
While the exact details of the official censor certificate haven’t been released, some recent insider reports and trade analysts have presented possible reasons as to why the CBFC has chosen to do this:
1. Raw, Unmediated Action Sequences
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is known for his unabashed action scenes from hand-to-hand combat amidst blood-soaked face-offs, while Coolie is expected to have raw and realistic violence that we usually don’t see from commercial Rajinikanth films.
2. Violence with Style and Mass Appeal
There is a difference between stylized and choreographed “masala” fights and real and raw action. It seems Coolie is on the latter, which would make it inappropriate to younger viewers or family audiences, pushing it into the ‘A’ category.
3. Dark Themes
There are also rumors that Coolie may tackle dark or sensitive themes, such as political corruption, the underworld and situational ethics, which may even further justify an adult rating.
Rajinikanth’s Rare Dissociation: Throwback on History
While the ‘A’ tag for Coolie is ludicrous, this isn’t a first for Rajinikanth. There are a few of his films released in the 1980s that were also given an Adults Only rating, but in the last twenty years, the projects Rajinikanth takes up are mass and family entertainers.
This makes Coolie infinitely more interesting. Rajinikanth is clearly returning to intensity, rather than the project-to-project risk tolerance; become willing to take breaks and fold what are likely prefilled roles.
How the A-rating might affect box office take
There is a perception in Indian cinema that an ‘A’ rating will hurt its business. However, this is changing. Here are some examples that speak to this:
Vikram (2022): Directed by Lokesh and rated ‘A’ – it grossed over ₹400 crore worldwide.
Animal (2023): Another ‘A’ rated film which set records and, most importantly, not all of it was through violent controversy.
Coolie, with Rajinikanth’s built-in audience and Lokesh’s established acumen, will surely take this track too.
What is the difference between “Coolie” and a so-called typical Rajini film?
Element Typical Rajini Film Coolie
Rating U or U/A A
Target Audience: Family, All Ages, Adult 18+
Style of Action Stylized, Masala, Raw, and Realistic
Director Family entertainer directors Lokesh Kanagaraj (gritty storytelling)
Themes: Hope, Heroism, Dark, maybe a bit violent
Audience Reactions: A Bit of Shock and Excitement
When the news dropped on social media, it went off the charts. There was shock, although also a lot of excitement, and people felt that the ‘A’ rating kept their original vision uncompromised. Here is a small sample:
@RajiniFanatic: “OMG #Coolie is ‘A’ rated? This will be next-level vintage Rajini.”
@FilmCritiqueTN: “Lokesh is not compromising – Rajinikanth is not compromising. Coolie has the potential to change action cinema in Tamil!”
As “Coolie” May Reset the Standard For Action Films in India
The growth of action-packed, rated “A” blockbusters is proof that audiences are moving forward. Here is why Coolie may define a new trend:
1- No holding back on the story: No censorship for the sake of mass appeal.
2- The fusion between the mass and class: the charisma of Rajinikanth + the realism of Lokesh = cinema like no other.
3- Sets a precedent: Other makers might have the courage to make the leap to “A”, based on the success of Coolie, if it’s a hit.
“Coolie” Is More Than a Movie—It’s a Statement
Rajinikanth is taking a huge step with Coolie, which is an entry into a land of edgy, bare-knuckles storytelling. The choice that Lokesh Kanagaraj made to keep the violence in place is a signal of a cultural shift in Tamil cinema, where content leads and not certification labels.
FAQs
1- Why did Coolie get an ‘A’ certificate from CBFC?
As part of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Coolie was rated ‘A’ because of its aggressive and graphic action scenes. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj reportedly refused to alter the violence for what would be “more of a movie,” in favour of raw and realistic storytelling. The violence was so intense, it could only be presented to an audience over 18 years old.
2. Has Rajinikanth had an ‘A’ rated film before “Coolie”?
Yes, but it’s a rare occurrence. There were some films of Rajinikanth in the 1980s with an “A” certificate. But in the last couple of decades, Rajinikanth’s films have been family or family-friendly or U/A rated. Thus, “Coolie” is his first “A” film in decades, so it is a substantial departure from his recent filmography.
3. What in the “Coolie” book karma happened to warrant an ‘A’ certificate?
There may not be much official footage as of yet, but reports suggest that the film includes brutal hand-to-hand fighting, rambunctious chases, and certainly aggressive violence. For example, past work in Lokesh Kanagaraj features realism and uncompromising action (see Vikram), so we suspect most of this realism will also travel into Coolie.
4. Will the ‘A’ rating status affect “Coolie’s” box office performance in India?
Not necessarily. “Animal” and “Vikram” both performed very well at the box office during their release despite being rated ‘A.’ In fact, the ‘A’ classification may spark curiosity in adults looking for more adult, high-octane, and high-impact film experiences.
5. Is Coolie appropriate for children or family?
No. The ‘A’ certificate restricts those under 18 years of age from viewing this film, and the level of violence and the potential for adult themes will most likely still make it unsuitable for children or family audiences.