Rajinikanth’s Coolie Faced 35 CBFC Cuts, Says Lokesh Kanagaraj: ‘A Certificate Was The Only Option’

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has opened up about the censorship hurdles surrounding his Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, revealing why he ultimately chose to release the film with an ‘A’ certificate despite the commercial risks involved. Speaking at a press interaction on January 26, Lokesh detailed his prolonged discussions with the Central Board of Film Certification and the difficult call that followed.

Why Lokesh Kanagaraj Accepted an ‘A’ Certificate for Coolie

According to Lokesh, the censor process proved far more demanding than expected. The CBFC initially recommended as many as 35 cuts, a number that the team felt would significantly dilute the film’s impact. Hoping for reconsideration, the makers applied for a re-censoring, but the outcome remained

unchanged.

“We applied for re-censoring, but they once again recommended the same 35 cuts,” Lokesh explained, adding that he was unwilling to compromise the film’s core narrative and tone. Faced with the choice between heavy edits and an adults-only classification, the director chose the latter.

‘A’ Certificate Came With a Heavy Financial Cost

Lokesh also revealed that the CBFC believed the film’s thematic elements justified an ‘A’ rating. In particular, the depiction of electric cremation was cited as a key reason it could not be granted a U or UA certificate.

“The board stated that the film thematically falls under an A certificate due to the depiction of electric cremation,” Lokesh said. While he stood by the creative decision, he acknowledged that it came at a steep price. According to the director, the ‘A’ certification resulted in an estimated revenue loss of ₹40–50 crore.

About Coolie

Coolie featured a powerhouse ensemble led by Rajinikanth, alongside Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Rachita Ram. The Tamil-language action thriller also included special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde.

Released worldwide on August 14, 2025, Coolie drew attention not only for its scale and casting but also for Lokesh Kanagaraj’s refusal to dilute its darker, more mature themes — a decision that ultimately defined both its certification and its commercial trajectory.