War 2 Collection Bollywood’s most ambitious cinematic universe—the YRF Spy Universe—has just added another feather to its cap with the release of War 2. Starring the charismatic Hrithik Roshan and the magnetic Jr NTR, the film is a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War. Released on 14 August 2025, it arrived with massive expectations, a gigantic budget, and a competitive release weekend that also saw the arrival of Rajinikanth’s Coolie.
With a reported production budget of around ₹400 crore, War 2 is not just a film—it’s an event. Fans had been buzzing for months, trade analysts had been predicting big numbers, and cinema halls were ready to host one of the biggest box office battles of the year.
War 2 Collection: Day 1 Collections: Powerful Opening, Close to Franchise Record
On its first day, War 2 collected an estimated ₹52.5 crore net across India. While this is slightly less than the first film’s ₹53 crore opening in 2019, it’s still an incredibly strong start—especially considering the stiff competition from Coolie.
Day 1 Language-Wise Breakdown:
- Hindi version: ₹29 crore
- Telugu version: ₹23.25 crore
- Tamil version: ₹0.25 crore
The numbers show that while the Hindi belt delivered decently, the Telugu market played a huge role in boosting the overall opening, thanks to Jr NTR’s massive fan following.
War 2 Collection: Strong in the South, Steady in the North
The opening day’s occupancy rates highlight how the film performed across regions:
- Telugu screenings: ~75%
- Hindi screenings: ~29%
- Tamil screenings: ~42%
City-specific trends were even more telling:
- Chennai: 71%
- Hyderabad: 65%
- Mumbai: 16%
- Delhi NCR: 25%
The data clearly indicates that southern markets embraced War 2 with far greater enthusiasm on Day 1.
War 2 Collection: Advance Bookings: Decent, But Not Record-Breaking
Trade reports suggested that War 2 sold about ₹16 crore worth of advance tickets before its release.
Breakdown:
- Hindi advances: ~₹10 crore
- Telugu advances: The majority of the remaining sales
While the numbers were healthy, some analysts pointed out that advance bookings in the Hindi market were weaker compared to earlier Spy Universe entries like Pathaan and Tiger 3. On the flip side, Telugu bookings exceeded expectations, giving the film a strong pan-India footprint right from the start.
War 2 vs Coolie: The Big Box Office Clash
One of the most talked-about aspects of War 2’s release was its head-to-head competition with Rajinikanth’s Coolie—and the result was clear: Thalaivar ruled the day.
- Coolie Day 1 collection: ₹65 crore (all languages)
- War 2 Day 1 collection: ₹52.5 crore (all languages)
Not only did Coolie out-earn War 2, it also made history by generating nearly ₹100 crore before release through bookings and distribution rights. This meant that even before the first ticket was sold on release day, Rajinikanth’s film was already in a league of its own.
Adding to the buzz, social media dug out a 39-year-old clip from the 1986 film Bhagwaan Dada showing a young Hrithik Roshan sharing the screen with Rajinikanth, with captions like “Thalaivar ke samne Hrithik abhi bhi bachcha hai” going viral.
Day 2 & Early Trends
On Day 2 (Independence Day), War 2 saw a noticeable spike in footfalls:
- By 11:30 AM, the film had already added around ₹5.38 crore to its tally.
- Some trackers reported Day 2 earnings could reach around ₹8–9 crore, which would push the two-day total to roughly ₹58–60 crore.
Given the national holiday and the long weekend ahead, trade analysts are optimistic about a healthy surge in collections over the first four days.
Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag
While the box office numbers brought smiles to the producers, critical reception was lukewarm at best.
What critics liked:
- Stylish action set-pieces
- Hrithik and Jr NTR’s on-screen chemistry
- High production values and scale
What critics disliked:
- Predictable storyline
- Over-the-top VFX (with some even mocking certain body shots as “video game abs”)
- Underwhelming emotional depth
Notably, Indian Express gave it just 1.5 stars, calling it more style than substance. However, die-hard fans of both stars still found enough moments to cheer for, especially the post-credit tease hinting at the next YRF Spy Universe installment.
Comparison with Other Spy Universe Films
In terms of opening day earnings, here’s how War 2 stacks up:
- Pathaan – ₹57 crore
- War (2019) – ₹53 crore
- War 2 (2025)—₹52.5 crore
- Tiger 3 – ₹44.5 crore
This makes War 2 the third-highest opening for the Spy Universe so far.
Budget & Break-Even Point
With a budget of about ₹400 crore, War 2 will need to gross somewhere in the range of ₹750–800 crore worldwide to be considered a clean hit. This means strong weekday holds and big weekend jumps are essential for the film’s long-term success.
Final Word: Can War 2 Maintain Momentum?
There’s no denying that War 2 has had a solid start, but in an industry driven by momentum and word-of-mouth, the coming week will be crucial. With Coolie dominating both headlines and screens in several markets, War 2 will have to rely heavily on its action appeal, star power, and the curiosity of Spy Universe fans to keep the numbers flowing.
If it can hold strong in the Hindi belt and maintain dominance in Telugu territories, War 2 still has a good shot at being one of the biggest hits of the year.
War 2 Box Office Snapshot (India)
| Day | Collection (Net) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | ₹52.5 crore |
| Day 2* | ₹8–9 crore est. |
| Two-day total | ₹58–60 crore |
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