Coolie and Thug Life to follow Bollywood OTT model?

Two of the most awaited Tamil films of 2025 — Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, and Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj with Rajinikanth in the lead — are planning a strategic move to make a mark in North India. According to insider reports, both teams are in discussions to adopt an 8-week gap between theatrical and OTT release.

This move is important because most Tamil films follow a 4-week window, which has led to limited screenings in major multiplex chains in North India. The Multiplex Association of India has been firm about an 8-week window to allow films to perform in theatres before going digital. Movies like Vikram, Master, and LEO had strong content but missed the mark in Hindi markets due to shorter theatrical runs.

The creators of Thug Life and Coolie want to ensure wide reach, especially considering the massive popularity of both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth across the country. Discussions are ongoing with producers, distributors, and streaming platforms to finalise this release plan. A decision on Thug Life’s window is expected by May 15, while Coolie still has time to observe the outcome and decide accordingly.

The idea is to give both films a fair chance to succeed at the national box office and create buzz before arriving on OTT platforms. If Thug Life succeeds with this model, it could serve as a valuable case study for Coolie and other Tamil films eyeing the pan-India audience.

Thug Life is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, while Coolie will arrive on August 14, 2025. With such big names and strong directorial backing, both films are hoping to break barriers and set new records for Tamil cinema in the Hindi market.

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