‘Coolie’ vs ‘Leo’: Vijay’s Film Outpaces Rajinikanth Starrer in 4-Day Worldwide Box Office Clash
Vijay’s Leo edges past Rajinikanth’s Coolie in the 4-day global box office race, though both Lokesh Kanagaraj films showcase massive star power and audience pull.
Thalapathy Vijay’s Leo leads Rajinikanth’s Coolie in worldwide opening weekend collections, sparking comparisons of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s two biggest blockbusters.
One of Tamil cinema's most sought-after directors, Lokesh Kanagaraj, has now produced two of the biggest blockbusters in the business: Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, and Leo, starring Thalapathy Vijay. Comparisons between the two films are unavoidable now that Coolie has finished its first four-day weekend. This is how they compare at the worldwide box office.
Rajinikanth's Coolie Trails Vijay's Leo in First Weekend Earnings
In the global 4-day opening weekend race, Vijay's Leo narrowly defeated Rajinikanth's Coolie, based on Comscore box office estimates.
- Leo: ₹403.50 crore, or $48.54 million
- Coolie: ₹397.50 crore, or $45.34 million
The slim margin demonstrates the enormous global fan base that both celebrities enjoy and solidifies Lokesh Kanagaraj's status as a master storyteller who can produce back-to-back hits.
Solo Release vs. Clash Factor
- The release strategy was a major contributing factor to the numbers.
- Leo had the benefit of an unbroken run thanks to its solo release in Tamil Nadu and international markets.
- However, Coolie had fierce competition from the Second World War.
In spite of this, Coolie used its all-Indian cast, which included Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, and Soubin Shahir, to draw in a wide range of viewers. Leo, on the other hand, concentrated solely on Vijay's star power.
Both films have gotten positive reviews from critics and fans, and industry insiders predict that Coolie will end its run at the box office near Leo's final total.
"Coolie": Rajinikanth as the Working Class Voice
Rajinikanth is portrayed by Coolie as a porter who rebels against the systematic exploitation of the working class. The film combines mass appeal with a powerful narrative about justice, friendship, and sacrifice, all while being packed with action, emotional drama, fiery dialogue, and social messaging.
"Leo": The Dual Identity Thriller by Vijay
Leo, on the other hand, takes place in Himachal Pradesh and features Vijay as Parthiban, a calm family man with a risky past. He turns out to be Leo Das, a man involved in mafia violence, when old secrets come to light. One of Vijay's most intense performances, the movie strikes a balance between psychological tension, high-octane action, and family ties.
The bottom line
While Vijay’s Leo has taken a slight lead over Rajinikanth’s Coolie after the first weekend, both films prove Lokesh Kanagaraj’s unmatched ability to create cinema that resonates across generations and geographies.
