Director Lokesh Kanagaraj has confirmed that he is being paid ₹50 crore for his upcoming film Coolie, starring superstar Rajinikanth. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Lokesh said this hike in pay is due to the massive success of his last film Leo, which earned over ₹600 crore at the box office. He stated, The ₹50 crore is my salary—thanks to Leo, I now earn twice what I did before. I pay my taxes and support my friends and family through this success.
Coolie is being made on a grand budget of ₹350 crore, making it one of the most expensive Tamil films to date. Reports suggest that Rajinikanth himself is earning around ₹280 crore for the project. The rest of the budget will cover production costs, including sets, crew, visual effects, and other filmmaking needs.
Lokesh shared that he has spent two years working non-stop on Coolie and is fully focused on delivering a quality film. While the production team hasn’t confirmed exact financial details, the numbers circulating have sparked major discussions online.
Coolie is slated for a pan-India release on August 14, 2025, in multiple languages including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. With a high-profile cast, massive budget, and Lokesh’s directorial vision, the film is expected to be a major blockbuster event in Indian cinema.