The much-anticipated ‘War 2’, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, finally hit theatres today, marking one of the biggest box-office clashes in recent times as it went head-to-head with Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’. While early audience reactions to War 2 have been mixed, the action entertainer has still managed to pull in strong opening numbers, especially in the Telugu markets where Jr NTR’s star power is undeniable.
Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film had a modest start in pre-release ticket sales, but momentum picked up rapidly once bookings in the South opened. Jr NTR’s massive fan following in the region gave a major boost to the film’s advance bookings, which grossed an impressive ₹16 crore before release day.
Day 1 So Far
According to Sacnilk, as of Thursday afternoon, War 2 had collected ₹17.07 crore net across India. Trade projections suggest that the film could close the day anywhere between ₹30–40 crore, depending on spot bookings and evening footfalls. Whether the final tally leans towards the higher side will largely depend on positive word of mouth over the next few hours.
Competition from ‘Coolie’
Despite War 2’s solid start, Rajinikanth’s mass entertainer Coolie, featuring Nagarjuna Akkineni, Aamir Khan, and Shruti Haasan, is currently dominating the box office. The film has already raked in ₹28.33 crore by the same time, holding a significant lead in the clash.
Trade Insights
Industry experts caution against jumping to conclusions just yet. While War 2’s opening may not scream “record-breaking blockbuster” compared to some past mega-openers, the dynamics of advance bookings versus day-one earnings have shifted in recent years. Notably, its advance sales are double those of recent big releases like Raid 2 and Housefull 5.
For now, the real test for War 2 will be sustaining audience interest over the weekend. With mixed reviews but strong brand value and star power, the coming days will decide whether the film can catch up to Coolie or fall behind in one of the year’s biggest box-office battles.
Day 1 [1st Thursday]: ₹17.07 Cr
Total: ₹17.07 Cr
