After hearing arguments from Sun Pictures and CBFC over the last two weeks, the Madras HC has dismissed the production house's petition seeking U/A certificate for Coolie, Rajinikanth's latest film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.

In their plea submitted to the court few days after release, the company contended that the A certification granted by CBFC was unjustly limiting access to Rajinikanth’s wide-ranging fan base, which includes audiences across all age groups.

Justice TV Thamilselvi, who has been hearing the case since it was registered, said in her judgement that the plea has no merit.

Arguing for the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan said Sun Pictures had been informed earlier about the edits that were required to grant the said certificate. He stated that the decision to give A certificate was taken unanimously by all the concerned panels as it had strong threating, gruesome killing, smoking and drinking. Further, he noted that the makers must remove the violent scenes and then reapply for a U/A certificate. This condition was not accepted by the Coolie team.

The ASG also pointed out that CBFC's certification came on August 4, but the challenge to it was raised only on August 18.

Appearing for Sun Pictures, Senior Advocate J Ravindran argued that it is not possible to find Tamil films without a considerable number of fight sequences and that all the conditions laid down by CBFC had been complied with, including removal of objectionable language and blurring alcohol-related scenes. He also stressed that Coolie does not glorify violence and compared the film with other intense action films like KGF which was given a U/A rating.

Despite the certification issue limiting young fans’ access to theatres, Coolie has still managed to gross Rs 268.75 crore across India. The global total estimate is said to be over Rs 400 crore, which is yet to be confirmed by the makers. The film has become a profitable and successful venture for Lokesh Kanagaraj as well as for Rajinikanth. Upon release on August 14, the film had minted over Rs 151 crore across the globe, becoming the biggest opening for the actor as well for the director.

Coolie stars an ensemble cast consisting of Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan and Aamir Khan, among others. It has music by Anirudh, cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj.