War 2 box office collection, reviews, ratings, budget, and Day 1 worldwide earnings — plus how Rajinikanth’s Coolie stole the Independence Day clash.
War 2 Opens Big — But Not Big Enough
War 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, opened in cinemas worldwide on August 14, 2025. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, and directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is part of Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe, which also includes hits like Pathaan and Tiger Zinda Hai.
On its opening day, War 2 box office collection in India reached ₹52.50 crore net — a strong start, but lower than War (₹53 crore) and Pathaan (₹57 crore). Worldwide, the film earned around ₹90 crore gross, powered by massive releases across India, the Middle East, North America, and Australia.
Rajinikanth’s Coolie Beats War 2 at the Box Office
Despite War 2’s hype, the day belonged to Rajinikanth. His Tamil-language action thriller Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stunned trade analysts by grossing ₹65 crore net in India on Day 1 — beating Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s combined star power.
The victory is remarkable given that Coolie released on fewer screens than War 2. Rajinikanth’s pan-India and overseas fanbase, particularly in the UAE, Singapore, and Malaysia, fueled the massive numbers.
War 2 Story & Cast
Plot: War 2 continues the high-octane espionage saga, following Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) as he faces off against a mysterious rival operative (Jr NTR). The movie features globe-trotting action sequences — from aerial combat to underwater missions — with political intrigue and betrayal at its core.
Main Cast:
- Hrithik Roshan as Kabir
- Jr NTR as the rival spy
- Kiara Advani in a key role
- Directed by Ayan Mukerji
- Produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films
War 2 Reviews & Rating
The film’s reviews have been mixed to negative. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh gave War 2 1.5 stars, calling it the “weakest film in the YRF Spy Universe.”
However, a YRF Instagram post selectively quoted his line praising the film’s “star power, scale, style, stunts,” leading to a Reddit controversy where users accused the studio of misleading marketing.
Audience feedback praises the action choreography and Hrithik-NTR chemistry, but criticises the writing and story pacing.
War 2 Budget & Box Office Outlook
- Budget: Estimated at ₹350 crore ($42 million)
- Day 1 India: ₹52.50 crore net
- Day 1 Worldwide: ~₹90 crore gross
- Break-Even Target: ₹500 crore worldwide
If War 2 benefits from strong weekend growth, it could cross ₹200 crore in India within three days. But competition from Coolie may cap its lifetime earnings.
War 2 vs Coolie Box Office — Day 1
| Film | India Day 1 Net | Screens (India) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| War 2 | ₹52.50 crore | ~4,500 | Strong but below expectations |
| Coolie | ₹65 crore | ~3,800 | Record-breaking for Rajinikanth |
Final Word
The War 2 box office clash has proven one thing: in Indian cinema, legacy stardom can still beat franchise hype. Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s big-budget spy epic may have global ambitions, but Rajinikanth’s charisma and audience loyalty have set a new benchmark for Independence Day releases.
With five months of theatrical run ahead, and international markets yet to fully contribute, War 2 could still turn the tide — but for now, Coolie is the box office king.