Did you know that two massive action-packed films clashed at the box office on Independence Day weekend, creating one of the most talked-about battles in Bollywood history? Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2 exploded onto screens on August 14, 2025, but it faced stiff competition from Rajinikanth’s Coolie. Early reports suggest War 2 has held its ground with a solid opening, but will it sustain the momentum? Let’s dive into the numbers, breakdowns, and what this means for the YRF Spy Universe—keep reading to uncover the surprises!
Introduction to War 2: A High-Stakes Sequel in the YRF Spy Universe
War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, which starred Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. This time, Hrithik returns as the suave spy Kabir, facing off against Jr NTR in his Bollywood debut as a formidable antagonist. Kiara Advani adds glamour as the female lead, making it a star-studded affair produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF).
Pictures Credit : YashRajFilms
Released on August 14, 2025, just a day before India’s Independence Day, the film aimed to capitalize on the holiday weekend. But it wasn’t alone—Rajinikanth’s Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, hit theaters on the same day, sparking a fierce box office clash. Fans are buzzing: Can War 2‘s high-octane action and pan-India appeal outshine the Thalaivar’s mass entertainer?
Early war 2 box office collection day 1 figures show promise, but the real test lies ahead. With mixed reviews praising the action sequences but critiquing the plot, how did it perform on opening day?
War 2 Box Office Collection Day 1: India Breakdown
On its opening day, War 2 collected an estimated ₹52.5 crore net in India across all languages. This makes it the second-highest Hindi opener of 2025, trailing only behind a few big-ticket releases earlier in the year.
Breaking it down by language:
- Hindi Version: The film raked in ₹28 crore net (₹34 crore gross), driven by strong performances in urban centers like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. Hrithik Roshan’s star power shone here, with multiplexes reporting 60-70% occupancy in evening shows.
- Telugu Version: Thanks to Jr NTR’s massive fanbase in the South, the Telugu dub collected ₹21.25 crore net (₹25.28 crore gross). Andhra Pradesh and Telangana saw bumper openings, with some theaters running housefull shows.
- Tamil and Other Languages: The Tamil version added around ₹3 crore, while minor contributions came from other regional dubs, rounding off the total.
Overall, the India gross for day 1 stands at approximately ₹62 crore, factoring in taxes and other deductions. Morning occupancy started slow at 25-30% due to the weekday release, but picked up to 50-60% by evening, especially in mass belts.
What boosted these numbers? Pre-release hype, including viral trailers and songs, played a key role. Advance bookings crossed 1.67 lakh tickets on platforms like BookMyShow, indicating strong initial interest.
War 2 Worldwide Collection Day 1: Crossing Borders
Globally, War 2 has grossed ₹79 crore on its first day, combining domestic and overseas earnings. Overseas markets contributed around ₹17 crore, with solid openings in the USA, UAE, and Australia.
- North America: Approximately ₹5 crore from the US and Canada, where NRI audiences flocked to see the Hrithik-Jr NTR face-off.
- Middle East: ₹4 crore, fueled by the action genre’s popularity.
- Europe and Asia-Pacific: The rest came from the UK, Germany, and Australia, totaling ₹8 crore.
This worldwide figure positions War 2 as a decent starter in the YRF Spy Universe, which includes hits like Pathaan and Tiger 3. However, it’s lower than War (2019)’s day 1 worldwide haul of ₹74 crore (adjusted for inflation), raising questions about sequel fatigue.
The Coolie Clash: How It Impacted War 2’s Performance
The biggest talking point? The head-to-head clash with Coolie, starring Rajinikanth and featuring Aamir Khan in a cameo. Coolie dominated with ₹65 crore net in India on day 1, pushing its worldwide total to over ₹150 crore.
In Telugu states, Coolie surprisingly outperformed War 2, collecting nearly double in some regions. Tamil Nadu was a no-contest zone for Rajinikanth, where Coolie minted ₹45 crore alone.
Together, the two films brought in ₹135 crore gross in India on day 1—a boon for the industry post-pandemic. But did the clash hurt War 2? Analysts say yes; without Coolie, it could have crossed ₹60 crore net in India. Screen sharing was a factor—Coolie grabbed more shows in the South, limiting War 2‘s reach.
| Film | India Net Day 1 (₹ Crore) | Worldwide Gross Day 1 (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| War 2 | 52.5 | 79 |
| Coolie | 65 | 150+ |
This table highlights the gap, but War 2 held strong in Hindi belts, proving its pan-India strategy worked partially.
Audience Reactions and Reviews: Mixed Bag with Action Highs
Social media is abuzz with war 2 review imdb trends, where the film scores 7.2/10 so far. Fans praise the Hrithik-Jr NTR chemistry and breathtaking stunts, but some criticize the predictable storyline.
Poll
Which film will win the box office battle? War 2 or Coolie?
On X (formerly Twitter), users shared excitement: “Jr NTR steals the show in #War2—his entry scene is fire!” But others noted, “Good action, but lacks the original’s thrill.” Occupancy in Telugu regions was higher due to NTR’s draw, while Hindi audiences appreciated Hrithik’s dance sequences.
Critics from outlets like The Indian Express called it the “weakest YRF Spyverse film” yet, but commended Jr NTR for “rescuing” it. This mixed word-of-mouth could affect day 2 collections, which early trends show jumping 68% in morning sales.
Comparison with Previous YRF Spy Films
How does War 2 stack up against its predecessors?
- War (2019): Day 1 India net ₹51.6 crore—War 2 edges it out slightly.
- Pathaan (2023): ₹55 crore net—still the king.
- Tiger 3 (2023): ₹43 crore net—War 2 outperforms.
The Spy Universe has grossed over ₹5,000 crore worldwide collectively, and War 2 aims to add ₹800-1,000 crore lifetime. But with the clash, projections are tempered.
Factors Driving War 2’s Success
Several elements contributed to war 2 day 1 collection worldwide:
- Star Power: Hrithik’s Greek God persona and Jr NTR’s post-RRR fame created cross-regional appeal.
- Marketing: YRF’s aggressive campaign, including tie-ups with brands and fan events, built hype.
- Holiday Timing: Released on Raksha Bandhan eve, it benefited from family audiences.
- Action Genre Boom: Post-Jawan and Animal, audiences crave high-stakes thrillers.
Challenges include piracy concerns, with “war 2 download” searches spiking, potentially denting earnings.
Future Predictions: Can War 2 Hit ₹500 Crore in India?
Early day 2 estimates show War 2 adding ₹8-10 crore by afternoon, eyeing a ₹60 crore second day. With Independence Day holiday boosting walk-ins, the weekend could cross ₹200 crore net in India.
Worldwide, a ₹300 crore holiday weekend is possible, as per trade experts. Lifetime? If word-of-mouth improves, ₹800 crore global gross is achievable. But Coolie‘s dominance might cap it at ₹600-700 crore.
Factors to watch:
- Weekend occupancy: Needs 70%+ to sustain.
- Overseas growth: NRI buzz could add ₹100 crore more.
- Competition: No major releases next week helps.
Why War 2 Matters for Bollywood in 2025
2025 has seen mixed results for Bollywood, with hits like Stree 2 but flops elsewhere. War 2 signals a return to big-scale action, blending North-South stars for true pan-India cinema. Its success could encourage more cross-industry collaborations, like Jr NTR’s future Bollywood ventures.
For YRF, it’s a test of the Spy Universe’s longevity—next up, Alpha with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. If War 2 crosses ₹1,000 crore worldwide, it solidifies YRF’s dominance.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Start Amid Challenges
War 2‘s day 1 haul of ₹52.5 crore in India and ₹79 crore worldwide is commendable, especially against Coolie‘s juggernaut. Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR deliver a visual spectacle, but the film’s fate hinges on positive buzz and holiday crowds.
Will it emerge victorious in this box office war? Stay tuned for day 2 updates— the battle is just beginning! What are your thoughts on War 2? Share in the comments below.