Mumbai / Hyderabad, August 14, 2025 – War 2, the much-awaited sequel to YRF’s 2019 hit War, has finally arrived in theatres nationwide on the occasion of Independence Day. The film marks a mega cinematic event as Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan teams up with Telugu cinema powerhouse Jr NTR, uniting two of the country’s biggest entertainment industries and their massive fan bases under one banner.
While the movie stormed into cinemas with a thunderous start at the box office—thanks to unprecedented hype and massive advance bookings—audience and critic reactions have been sharply divided.
Massive Advance Bookings Fuel Big Opening for War 2
Even before the first show began, War 2 was making headlines. The film generated a pre-release frenzy across India, with advance bookings crossing 1.26 lakh tickets. This translated into a whopping ₹8.5 crore before release, proving just how much anticipation the movie had built.
The Hindi version alone contributed nearly ₹10 crore, while the Telugu-speaking states recorded a staggering spike in sales—at one point, 20,000+ tickets were sold per hour on BookMyShow.
Factoring in premium seating and special formats, the total advance booking collection touched ₹30–32 crore, placing War 2 among Bollywood’s biggest pre-release earners of 2025.
However, despite these strong figures, the film faced a regional imbalance in performance. Hindi-speaking areas saw only 16% occupancy in the morning shows, while Telugu states boasted an impressive 70% occupancy right from the start.
War 2 Day 1 Box Office Performance
Trade sources report:
- Total Day 1 net collection (all languages) – ₹13.91 crore
- Morning Hindi occupancy – 16.37%
- Competition – Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which scored ₹37 crore in advance sales and ₹11 crore by morning shows
While Coolie dominated Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala, War 2 held its ground across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and key metro cities. Jr NTR’s popularity in the South ensured strong footfall, even in non-Hindi belts.
War 2 Reviews: Strengths and Weaknesses
What Worked ?
- High-energy action sequences that deliver the adrenaline rush fans expected.
- Powerful star performances, especially in the much-anticipated Hrithik Roshan vs Jr NTR showdown.
- The song “Janaabe Aali”, featuring both actors, stood out for its electric dance moves and chemistry.
- Jr NTR’s stardom sparked massive celebrations in South India, from early morning rituals to theater decorations and fan chants.
What Didn’t Work ?
- A predictable and formula-based plot, which critics felt lacked freshness.
- Weak VFX in certain action scenes, with overuse of slow-motion shots.
- Some reviewers felt Jr NTR’s screen time was limited compared to Hrithik.
- Comparisons with YRF’s weaker productions led to terms like “uninspired” and “safe filmmaking.”
Audience Reactions: A Tale of Two Regions
The audience verdict reflects a clear regional split:
- Bollywood viewers: While some called War 2 a “paisa-vasool” entertainer, others criticized its story and pacing.
- South Indian audience: Overwhelmingly positive, with Jr NTR emerging as the standout.
- Online buzz: Social media posts and Reddit discussions are a mix of fan celebrations, repeat viewing plans, and critiques over the visuals.
Independence Day Box Office Clash: War 2 vs Coolie
Independence Day 2025 brought one of the most exciting box office clashes in years:
- Coolie – ₹37 crore advance booking, ₹11 crore morning earnings
- War 2 – ₹30–32 crore advance booking, ₹6 crore early morning earnings
While Coolie took the lead in numbers, War 2 is benefitting from pan-India appeal and strong South market pull. The public holiday has boosted occupancy for both films, but weekday trends will decide the ultimate winner.
Internal Link Suggestion: For readers interested in other major Bollywood and South Indian box office battles, check out our detailed coverage of Coolie’s opening day performance.
War 2 becomes the 7th highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025
With 143 crores in the kitty, War 2 has surpassed the lifetime collection of Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force (134.93 crores), becoming the 7th highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025. Today, it will cross Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (166.58 crores) and Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 (179.3 crores) to grab the 5th spot.
Take a look at Bollywood’s top 10 grossers of 2025:
- Chhaava – 615.39 crores
- Saiyaara – 331.52 crores
- Mahavatar Narsimha – 201.79 crores
- Housefull 5 – 198.41 crores
- Raid 2 – 179.3 crores
- Sitaare Zameen Par – 166.58 crores
- War 2 – 143 crores
- Sky Force – 134.93 crores
- Sikandar – 129.95 crores
- Kesari Chapter 2 – 94.48 crores
Final Verdict on War 2
War 2 has undeniably had a strong opening, fueled by the combined star power of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, high-octane action, and a well-orchestrated promotional campaign. However, mixed reviews and strong competition from Coolie mean that sustaining momentum will require positive word-of-mouth.
Strong Points: Star chemistry, adrenaline-packed action, and Jr NTR’s fan frenzy.
Weak Points: A predictable story, underwhelming VFX, and a slightly uneven script.
For now, War 2 stands as a box office success with a split audience verdict—a film that excites some while leaving others wanting more. Whether it will become a long-term blockbuster will depend heavily on how it performs beyond the holiday weekend.
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