The makers of Rajinikanth’s film Coolie approached the Madras High Court against the ‘A’ certificate given by CBFC. Justice TV Thamilsevi Today (Aug 25) reserved orders after hearing arguments from both sides.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Friday witnessed an important hearing regarding the certification of superstar Rajinikanth’s movie Coolie.
Justice TV Thamilsevi reserved the order on a petition filed by Sun Pictures, the production company of Sun TV, challenging the ‘A’ (adults only) certificate given by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The production company, Sun Pictures, had applied for certification of the movie under Rule 22 of the Cinematography (Certification) Rules, 1983.
As per procedure, the Examining Committee of CBFC first reviewed the film and later informed the producers through email that the movie would only be given an ‘A’ certificate, provided certain cuts are made.
Unhappy with this decision, the producers took the matter before the Revising Committee.
However, the Revising Committee also upheld the decision of the Examining Committee and finally issued an ‘A’ certificate, stating that the movie portrayed extensive violence.
The legal dispute now focuses on whether the movie deserves a restricted ‘A’ certificate or whether it should be given a ‘U/A’ certificate, which would allow a wider audience, including families, to watch the film.
| Category | ‘A’ Certificate (Adults Only) | ‘U/A’ Certificate (Parental Guidance) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Adults Only | Universal/Adult Accompaniment |
| Who Can Watch | Only 18 years and above | Suitable for all ages, but children below 12 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian |
| Themes Allowed | Mature and strong subjects like graphic violence, sexual content, drug abuse, explicit language | Moderate violence, mild sexual references, socially relevant issues – but toned down |
| Content Restrictions | More freedom in showing intense violence, nudity, or strong adult themes (within Indian law) | Must ensure sensitivity, toned visuals, and dialogues not harmful for children |
| Entry in Theatres | Strictly adults only, ID proof may be required | All age groups allowed, but children need parental guidance |
| Impact on Box Office | Limits audience to adults only, which may reduce family audience but can attract mature viewers | Wider audience reach including families, children, and teens, boosting box office potential |
| Examples of Films | Kabir Singh (2019), Gangs of Wasseypur, The Dirty Picture | Baahubali, RRR, Pathaan, Bajrangi Bhaijaan |
BACKGROUND
In a dramatic turn after the huge box office success of superstar Rajinikanth’s film Coolie, the production company Sun Pictures has approached the Madras High Court.
The company has challenged the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The CBFC had cleared Coolie with an ‘A’ certificate, pointing to its violent scenes, which means that children are not allowed to watch the movie in theatres.
The petition filed by Sun Pictures is expected to come up for hearing today.
People in the film industry believe that this certification has become a hurdle for the film. Rajinikanth’s movies are usually known as family-friendly entertainers that attract audiences of all ages. With an ‘A’ certificate, minors are officially barred from watching the movie in cinemas. This has created concern among both fans and distributors who feel that the film’s reach has been limited.
Still, despite this obstacle, Coolie has already broken all records at the box office. Directed by popular filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, the movie has earned an unbelievable Rs 404 crore worldwide in just four days, making it the highest-grossing Tamil film of all time. On the very first day of release, it collected over Rs 151 crore, setting a new benchmark in Indian cinema.
The movie features a star-studded cast with actors like Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. For Rajinikanth, Coolie has an even more emotional meaning, as it coincides with his 50th year in the film industry.
The music by Anirudh Ravichander has added further energy and appeal, with fans calling it one of the main highlights of the film.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj expressed his happiness and excitement over the response:
“The response is so good. The film has come out exactly the way I planned. Directing Rajinikanth is always special – it’s a dream every time.”
The outcome of the legal battle in the Madras High Court is now being watched closely by fans, legal experts, and distributors. If the verdict comes in favour of Sun Pictures, the movie may get a fresh certification, which would allow children and young audiences—who form a big part of Rajinikanth’s fan following—to enjoy the film on the big screen.
Music director Anirudh Ravichander, whose powerful background score and songs have become a rage among fans, spoke about his creative choices in Coolie. He told media that he purposely worked on a “mass theme” to match Rajinikanth’s iconic style and larger-than-life presence.
“I’m so proud to be a part of Coolie. It’s breaking records all over the world. Delivering this in Thalaivar’s 50th year is a proud moment for me,”
–he said.
Anirudh ended on an exciting note, revealing his next project with the superstar: he confirmed that his upcoming film will be Jailer 2 with Rajinikanth.
CASE TITLE:
Sun TV Network Vs Central Board of Film Certification
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