Piracy Crackdown: Madras High Court Directs ISPs to Restrict Access to Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’

Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s collaboration in ‘Coolie’ has generated significant buzz, positioning it as one of the most awaited films of 2025. The film’s release is expected to coincide with Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s ‘War 2,’ creating a competitive environment during the upcoming Independence Day. Concerns regarding piracy prompted the Madras High Court to take action, issuing an order to prevent the online distribution of pirated copies of ‘Coolie.’ The court’s decision, delivered on August 11, targets 36 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) nationwide, prohibiting them from facilitating access to websites hosting the pirated content. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy issued the interim injunction after verifying the film’s certification and identifying Sun TV Network Limited as the rightful producer. The court recognized the potential for substantial harm to the film’s production without the injunction. The court’s order extends to cable TV companies in Chennai, including Action Lane, JAK Communications, and Thamizhaga Cable TV, thus blocking illegal screenings. Prominent ISPs like BSNL, MTNL, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Hathway, Reliance Communications, and Tata Teleservices are legally bound to comply with the court’s directive.