War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani, hit theatres today on 14 August 2025 as part of the YRF Spy Universe. Mounted on a massive budget and positioned as one of the year’s biggest event films, it was expected to open strong across India.
With a reported budget of ₹400 crore, it is among the most expensive Indian films ever made. Featuring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR in his Hindi debut, and Kiara Advani, expectations were sky-high, especially after massive pre‑release marketing and earlier blockbusters like War and Pathaan from Spy Universe.
The release coincided with the extended Independence Day weekend, giving the film a clear window to perform at its peak though clash with another star studded Coolie did hurt the film.
War 2: Below Par Opening Day Numbers
Despite the huge expectations, the film will collect ₹28 crore nett collection in Hindi on its opening day, which is significantly lower than the ₹53.25 crore start achieved by War in 2019.
National chains contributed ₹ 12.75 – 13 crore to the total, pointing to 45% contribution from leading multiplexes. Morning shows opened with below par occupancy in Hindi markets and healthier numbers in Telugu markets, indicating stronger pull in the South compared to the Hindi belt.
Advance booking figures also mirrored this disparity. Although overall advance ticket sales looked promising largely fueled by Telugu demand, the Hindi belt did not match prior franchise benchmarks, trailing even past hits like Pathaan and Tiger.
Second Biggest Opening Of The Year For War 2
War 2 this scored 2nd biggest opening of the year behind Vicky Kaushal’s blockbuster Chhaava which collected ₹ 33.10 crore nett on day one. It just above YRF’s Saiyaara which surprised everyone with ₹ 22 crore nett number on day one.
Mixed Word of Mouth, Tough Competition
Early audience reactions have been very mixed, with praise for scale and action set-pieces but criticism over story engagement. Adding to the challenge, War 2 faces direct competition from Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which is pulling in bigger numbers in several territories.
(Also read: War 2 Movie Review: Hrithik Roshan And Jr NTR’s Spy Saga Proves All That Glitters Is Not Gold, Another Weak Entry in YRF’s Universe After Tiger 3)
The Road Ahead For War 2
The next three days will be critical for War 2. With the Independence Day holiday and a weekend ahead, there is still room for the film to pick up momentum. However, the below par start means it will need a strong surge in collections to meet expectations and sustain beyond the first week.
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