Madras HC Upholds ‘A’ Certification For ‘Coolie’
Sun Pictures’ plea citing loss of family segment for Rajinikanth film turned down
The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Sun Pictures, producers of superstar Rajinikanth's latest movie Coolie, challenging the ‘A’ Certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification. The Court upheld the CBFC's rating, which prohibits anyone below 18 years of age from watching the film in theatres.
In her judgment, Justice TV Thamilselvi stated that the producers’ plea held no merit.
Coolie is the first Rajinikanth film in over three decades to receive an ‘A’ certificate. (Siva in 1989 was the last one to get the rating before this.) In their plea, the producers had argued that an ‘A’ rating restricts family audiences, which are a vital segment for a mass entertainer.
Despite the certification and the subsequent Court proceedings, Coolie has performed extremely well at the box office, reportedly grossing over `400 crore worldwide in its first week.