Aamir’s cameo fuels hype for Rajinikanth’s 'Coolie'. Can it topple Hrithik’s 'War 2' at the box office?

The film's fate ultimately hinges on the quality of its content, according to analysts

Aamir Khan is set for a surprise cameo in the Hindi version of Rajinikanth-starrer "Coolie". Photo courtesy: Sun Pictures via X

The Hindi-dubbed version of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's gangster drama "Coolie: The Powerhouse" is generating significant steam ahead of its Aug 14 release, thanks in part to a surprise cameo by Bollywood heavyweight Aamir Khan.

Despite the excitement around Aamir's appearance, which features prominently in the trailer, trade analysts warn that "no single star" can guarantee box office traction.

The film's fate ultimately hinges on the quality of its content, industry analyst Rohit Jaiswal told Indiatimes.

The somewhat sceptical outlook seemingly stems from Rajinikanth’s previous release, "Vettaiyan", which grossed a measly Rs 45.1 million in the Hindi belt despite featuring Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role.

"Coolie" is also set to faces stiff competition from the eagerly anticipated Bollywood action thriller "War 2", starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, slated to release on the same day.

That said, early reviews have generated considerable enthusiasm. Critics and fans are calling "Coolie" Rajinikanth’s finest performance since "Kabali", with Shruti Haasan earning praise as a standout in the ensemble and Nagarjuna described as the film’s "backbone", according to the Times of India.

Aamir's cameo is also being viewed as a strong addition to the cast, with rumours suggesting that he had intervened in the film's distribution strategy in North India -- a notion that his team has firmly denied.