August 14, 2025: The highly anticipated action thriller War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani, opened in theatres today under the direction of Ayan Mukerji and production of Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films. Despite advance bookings of around ₹30 crore, early estimates indicate that the film has collected only ₹6.16 crore so far on Day 1 in India.
The performance falls short of industry expectations, especially given the star power and marketing push. Trade analysts cite strong competition from Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which has earned nearly double the amount on its opening day, as a key factor in War 2’s slow start.
Positioned as a major entry in YRF’s expanding Spy Universe, War 2 was expected to draw large pan-India audiences, boosted by the inclusion of Telugu superstar Jr. NTR and high-budget action sequences. However, the Independence Day release window has seen both films competing for audience attention, with Coolie currently leading.
Industry experts believe the true test for War 2 will come during the extended holiday period, with the August 15 national holiday likely to provide a box office boost. The film’s weekend performance will be critical in determining whether it can recover momentum and close the gap with its rival.
