Chennai: The Madras High Court has rejected a petition filed by Sun Pictures, producers of the Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, seeking a revision of the film’s certification from ‘A’ (restricted to adults) to ‘U/A’ (parental guidance for children under 12).
Justice T V Thamilsevi dismissed the plea, stating that the court found no merit in the arguments presented by the production house. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had earlier issued an ‘A’ certificate to the film, citing excessive violence as the reason for restricting the movie’s viewing to audiences above 18 years of age.
Petitioners argue for U/A certification
Senior counsel J Ravindran, representing Sun Pictures, argued that the film had undergone several cuts, including the removal of scenes featuring alcohol consumption and objectionable language. Despite these edits, the CBFC maintained its decision to classify the film as suitable only for adult audiences.
The counsel further stated that under Section 5 of the Copyright Act of 1957, the film qualified for a U/A certificate since the objectionable content had been addressed.
CBFC cites over-the-top violence
However, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan, appearing for the CBFC, contended that the movie contained high-intensity violent sequences, justifying the ‘A’ certification. Both the examining and revising committees of the board had unanimously agreed on this classification.
The court observed that the certification process followed proper procedure and upheld CBFC’s assessment.
Impact on the film’s audience reach
Industry analysts suggest that the decision could impact the film’s reach among younger viewers, as Rajinikanth’s movies traditionally attract a wide family audience base. An ‘A’ certification restricts minors from watching the film in theatres, a factor that could influence ticket sales, particularly in family-oriented markets.
Box office performance remains strong
Despite the certification setback, Coolie has maintained a robust box office run. On its second Wednesday, the film collected ₹4.50 crore, pushing its domestic total to ₹268.75 crore. The first week alone saw earnings of ₹229.75 crore.
About Coolie
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie marks Rajinikanth’s 171st film. The movie features a stellar cast including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj, with Aamir Khan making a cameo appearance. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures.