For years, India’s biggest holiday weekends—Diwali, Independence Day, and Christmas—have been prime battlegrounds for high-profile Bollywood releases. Major films often clash at the box office during these festive
For years, India’s biggest holiday weekends—Diwali, Independence Day, and Christmas—have been prime battlegrounds for high-profile Bollywood releases. Major films often clash at the box office during these festive periods, competing for audience attention and record-breaking collections. This year is no different. On August 15, Indian Independence Day, moviegoers will witness a massive showdown between two of the most anticipated films of 2025—Rajinikanth’s “Coolie”, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, and “War 2“, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
Both films have generated extraordinary buzz, with analysts predicting that they could deliver record-breaking performances at the box office. Exhibitors across the country are betting big on these releases, expecting them to drive ticket sales to unprecedented heights. The optimism is reminiscent of how the musical romance “Sairaara” recently revived the industry after a prolonged lull.
With so much anticipation building, every update—from ticket pricing to advance booking figures—has become hot news. Let’s take a closer look at how “War 2” is performing ahead of its grand release.
Given the long holiday weekend and massive hype, cinema owners have significantly hiked ticket prices. In certain premium venues, tickets are being sold for more than ₹2,000.
In Mumbai, most multiplex chains have set the base price at ₹300 and above. Premium seating in several locations is priced between ₹700 and ₹800, while upscale venues are crossing the ₹1,000 mark.
At Maison Inox, located in BKC’s Jio World Plaza, the most expensive tickets for War 2—Prime Recliner seats—are listed at an eye-watering ₹2,620. Even the regular recliner seats are priced at ₹2,520. Remarkably, despite these steep prices, most of these shows are close to selling out.
However, in terms of advance booking numbers, War 2 is currently trailing behind Coolie. Yet, it continues to post strong figures that indicate a healthy pre-release momentum.
The film marks the first-ever on-screen collaboration between Hrithik Roshan and Telugu superstar Jr NTR, who will be making his Bollywood debut with this project. Kiara Advani also plays a pivotal role.
According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, here’s how War 2 is performing across different languages and formats:
In total, War 2 has sold 323,022 tickets across India, grossing ₹9.22 crore by 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Including blocked seats (reserved in advance by cinema chains), the film’s pre-sale gross rises to ₹17.44 crore.
While the numbers are strong, War 2 still lags behind the advance booking records set by earlier films from the Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe.
With just one day left before release, industry insiders believe War 2 could still see a surge in pre-sales. Whether it can surpass these benchmarks, however, remains to be seen.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 is the highly awaited sequel to Siddharth Anand’s 2019 blockbuster War, which starred Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. The new installment is the sixth film in YRF’s expanding Spy Universe.
Ayan Mukerji, best known for Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, brings his own visual style and storytelling approach to this mega-action spectacle. Bollywood Hungama reports that War 2 is one of the most expensive films ever made in India, with a staggering production budget of ₹400 crore.
As for the star cast’s paychecks, Jr NTR has reportedly charged a massive ₹70 crore for his Bollywood debut, while Hrithik Roshan has taken ₹50 crore along with a share of the film’s profits.
The Independence Day box office clash between War 2 and Coolie has the entire industry watching closely. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, has massive appeal in South India and among pan-Indian audiences. On the other hand, War 2 combines Bollywood star power with the South Indian fanbase of Jr NTR, making it a true nationwide event.
While Coolie is currently ahead in pre-sales, War 2’s wider language releases and high ticket prices could give it a competitive edge in total revenue. The final verdict will only be clear once opening day collections are in.
For YRF, War 2 is more than just a sequel—it’s a critical addition to the Spy Universe, which has become one of Bollywood’s most bankable franchises. A strong opening would reinforce the franchise’s dominance and keep audiences invested for future interconnected storylines.
For exhibitors, the stakes are equally high. With ticket prices set at record levels, the potential revenue per show is enormous. If War 2 sustains its momentum and achieves strong word-of-mouth, it could deliver one of the biggest weekend collections of the year.
With the countdown to release almost over, all eyes are on War 2. Will it match or surpass the opening records of Pathaan and Tiger 3? Will the combined charisma of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR prove irresistible to audiences?
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain—this Independence Day will mark one of the most exciting box office battles in recent memory, and War 2 is right in the heart of it.
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War 2 is releasing on 15 August 2025 to coincide with the Independence Day holiday weekend.
The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR (making his Bollywood debut), and Kiara Advani.
War 2 is directed by Ayan Mukerji, known for Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva.
Yes, it is the sequel to the 2019 hit War and the sixth installment in the YRF Spy Universe.
As of Wednesday morning (a day before release), War 2 has sold 3,23,022 tickets across India, earning ₹9.22 crore in confirmed sales, and ₹17.44 crore including blocked seats.
