₹500 Crore Collection Despite a Thousand Criticisms – Lokesh Kanagaraj Opens Up and Admits Mistakes!
December 27, 2025 Published by Natarajan Karuppiah
The film ‘Coolie’, a collaboration between one of Tamil cinema’s leading directors, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Superstar Rajinikanth, was released this past August. While the film faced several critical challenges despite the massive expectations surrounding it, it has reached a new milestone in terms of box office collections.
In a recent press meet, Lokesh Kanagaraj spoke candidly about the criticisms aimed at the film and its commercial success. Following the release of Coolie, various quarters raised concerns regarding its screenplay and direction. Addressing this, Lokesh stated:
“I faced a lot of criticism for Coolie, and I accept them wholeheartedly. As a creator, having my mistakes pointed out helps me move to the next level. I will definitely rectify these errors in my next film.”
Despite the mixed reviews, the crowds in theaters remained steady. Lokesh emotionally credited this to the public’s love for Rajinikanth.”The primary reason people watched this film is Rajinikanth sir,” he said.
He emphasized that it was the actor’s ‘Star Power’ and persona that drew the audience to the theaters and sustained the support.Regarding the box office figures, Lokesh shared: “When I spoke to the producer about the collections, he mentioned that Coolie has grossed over ₹500 crore worldwide. I am very happy that this record was achieved even amidst negative reviews.”
He also touched upon the reviews and humorous memes circulating on social media. “The role played by the media, critics, and especially meme creators in the film’s success is significant. I express my gratitude for their support and feedback,” he added.
When asked about his highly anticipated next project, the director replied:”The production house will soon release an official announcement regarding my next film.”
This has led to increased speculation in Kollywood circles about whether his next venture will be the much-awaited Kaithi 2 or an entirely new script.
