In a blockbuster development for Tamil cinema, the OTT rights of Superstar Rajinikanth’s highly anticipated movie Coolie have been sold to Amazon Prime Video for a record-breaking ₹120 crore.
Industry insiders and media reports largely agree on this staggering figure, positioning Coolie as one of the most expensive digital rights deals in the history of Tamil films.
Rajinikanth’s OTT Market Evolution
Rajinikanth’s digital market value has been steadily climbing in recent years. His last major release Jailer (2023) secured ₹100 crore from Amazon Prime Video, while Vettaiyan (2024) fetched ₹90 crore from the same platform. With Coolie, Rajinikanth not only surpasses his own previous records but firmly establishes himself as one of the highest OTT earners in the Tamil film industry.
This ₹120 crore deal is also significant because it ties Coolie with Vijay’s Leo (2023), which earned ₹120 crore in a Netflix deal, making both films the second-highest OTT deals after Ponniyin Selvan (Parts 1 & 2), which together commanded ₹125 crore. The Ponniyin Selvan films, starring Vikram, Karthi, and Jayam Ravi, remain the top OTT grosser in Tamil cinema history.
Comparison With Other Top OTT Deals
Here is a quick overview of how Coolie compares with other major deals in recent years:
| Film | Year | Actor(s) | OTT Price (₹ crore) | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponniyin Selvan (Parts 1+2) | 2022-23 | Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi | 125 | Amazon Prime/others |
| Leo | 2023 | Vijay | 120 | Netflix |
| Coolie | 2025 | Rajinikanth | 120 | Amazon Prime Video |
| GOAT | 2024 | Vijay | 110 | Netflix |
| Jailer | 2023 | Rajinikanth | 100 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Vidaamuyarchi | 2024 | Ajith | 100 | Netflix |
| Kanguva | 2024 | Suriya | 100 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Good Bad Ugly | 2025 | Ajith | 95 | Netflix |
| Vettaiyan | 2024 | Rajinikanth | 90 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Varisu | 2023 | Vijay | 80 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Thunivu | 2023 | Ajith | 65 | Netflix |
Notably, Rajinikanth now has three films among the top OTT deals in Tamil cinema, underscoring his massive digital market appeal. His dominance stands strong alongside other industry heavyweights like Vijay, Ajith, and Suriya.
Implications for the Industry
The massive OTT deal for Coolie reflects not just Rajinikanth’s star power but also the rising importance of digital platforms in film economics. Streaming giants like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix continue to engage in fierce bidding wars for Tamil blockbusters, driving up the digital rights market exponentially.
For Amazon Prime Video, securing Coolie-especially after the success of Jailer-is a strategic win to further consolidate its presence in the Tamil entertainment space.
With Coolie’s OTT rights deal breaking the ₹120 crore barrier, Rajinikanth reaffirms his unparalleled star power in the digital era. As the lines between theatrical and digital releases blur, such record-breaking deals highlight the evolving business model of Indian cinema, where OTT plays a critical role in a film’s revenue ecosystem.