Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, has slowed down at the domestic box office as it enters its second week. On Day 8, the film earned around Rs 6.25 crore (early estimates on Sacnilk.com) across languages, bringing its total India net collection to Rs 229.75 crore.

The action drama opened to historic numbers, collecting Rs 65 crore on Day 1 and Rs 54.75 crore on Day 2. The first weekend closed on a high with Rs 39.5 crore on Saturday and Rs 35.25 crore on Sunday. However, the weekday trend has been marked by steady drops: Rs 12 crore on Monday, Rs 9.5 crore on Tuesday, Rs 7.5 crore on Wednesday, and now Rs 6.25 crore on Thursday.

The decline reflects the natural post-holiday dip after the extended Independence Day weekend, coupled with stiff competition from War 2. While the pace has slowed considerably, Coolie has already crossed the Rs 225-crore mark in just over a week, a feat few films manage to achieve.

Backed by Sun Pictures, Coolie marks Lokesh Kanagaraj’s first collaboration with Rajinikanth. The ensemble cast includes Nagarjuna, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, and Rachita Ram, with music by Anirudh Ravichander.

An excerpt from Cinema Express’ review reads: “The reliable Anirudh is effective in most portions, giving the film the right amount of intrigue and massiness, and overcompensates for the contrivances in the narrative when all the cards are laid on the table. For a film that wants to rely more on the emotional journey of a loner coming to terms with loss and longing, Coolie takes too long a time to get there.”

With the weekend approaching, trade circles are watching closely to see if the film can regain some momentum and push past the Rs 250-crore milestone in the coming days.