Lokesh Kanagaraj Reveals ‘Coolie’ Faced 35 CBFC Cuts, Claims ₹50 Crore Loss After A Certificate
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has opened up about the major censorship challenges faced by his Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie. Speaking to the media, the director revealed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) initially demanded 35 cuts in the film. When he refused to compromise on the narrative, the film was eventually certified ‘A’, leading to what he claims was a revenue loss of nearly ₹40–50 crore.
The revelation comes amid discussions around Vijay’s Jana Nayagan and its certification process, bringing renewed focus on creative freedom and censorship in Indian cinema.
According to Lokesh, the CBFC first suggested muting nine words and removing or altering 35 scenes. While he accepted the muted words, he strongly objected to the extensive cuts.
“I was okay with the nine muted words, but not with 35 cuts. It would have diluted the film. We applied for re-censorship, but the same cuts were suggested again,” Lokesh told reporters.
He added that a sequence showing electric cremation became a major reason for denying a U or UA certificate.
“The board said the film thematically falls under A certification due to that depiction,” he said.
Faced with the choice between releasing a compromised version with a UA certificate or the complete film with an A rating, Lokesh chose the latter.
As a result, Coolie received an A certificate, restricting younger audiences. The filmmaker claims this decision impacted footfall significantly, leading to an estimated ₹40–50 crore loss in potential revenue.
Despite this, Coolie performed strongly at the box office. Released on August 14 last year, the film collected over ₹500 crore worldwide, according to trade estimates. It recorded a strong opening weekend and sustained collections in overseas markets.
On OTT, the film premiered on a leading streaming platform in late 2025 and reportedly crossed 15 million views in its first month, further strengthening its commercial footprint.
Several industry voices have reacted to Lokesh’s comments, highlighting ongoing concerns about censorship.
A senior producer associated with the project stated, “The team stood by the director’s vision. While the A certificate affected family audiences, the film’s integrity was protected.”
Trade analyst Ramesh Bala noted, “An A certificate reduces potential ticket sales by at least 20–25% in mass markets. For a Rajinikanth film, that can easily translate into tens of crores.”
Actor Sathyaraj, who featured in the film, had earlier said in an interview, “Lokesh believes in honest storytelling. He didn’t want to dilute the emotional weight of the film.”
Coolie marked the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj, two major forces in Tamil cinema. The film featured an ensemble cast including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Rachita Ram, with special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde.
Produced on a large scale, the film focused on labour politics, power struggles, and social injustice, blended with Lokesh’s signature action-driven narrative.
Though reviews were mixed, critics praised Rajinikanth’s performance and Lokesh’s ambition. The film’s music and action sequences also received appreciation.
Lokesh also confirmed at the press meet that he made a cameo app
earance in H Vinoth’s upcoming directorial.
Lokesh Kanagaraj is now gearing up to direct Allu Arjun in a yet-to-be-titled pan-India project, expected to go on floors later this year. The film is being mounted on a massive budget and is likely to be one of the biggest releases of 2027.
He also confirmed that Kaithi 2, starring Karthi, will begin production after the Allu Arjun film.
Rajinikanth, meanwhile, is set to begin work on his next project, while continuing to explore content-driven roles alongside big-budget entertainers.
Our Final Thoughts
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s remarks on the censorship challenges faced by Coolie underline a long-standing tension between creative expression and regulatory control in Indian cinema. While certification guidelines are meant to protect audiences, excessive cuts often affect storytelling and artistic intent.
In this case, Lokesh chose creative integrity over commercial comfort, even at the cost of significant revenue. His decision reflects growing confidence among contemporary filmmakers to stand by their vision, especially when backed by strong stars like Rajinikanth.
The fact that Coolie still crossed ₹500 crore globally shows that audiences are willing to support bold narratives. However, the estimated ₹40–50 crore loss also highlights how certification can directly influence business outcomes.
As Indian cinema increasingly targets global platforms and diverse audiences, the certification process may need more transparent and flexible mechanisms. Constructive dialogue between filmmakers and regulatory bodies is essential to ensure that creativity is not compromised unnecessarily.
Lokesh’s experience may serve as a case study for future filmmakers navigating similar challenges, encouraging a more balanced approach between regulation and artistic freedom.