By Krishna Dua 
War 2 Box Office: A ₹19–20 Cr Opening Day Predicted, Facing Stiff Competition
The stage is set for one of the biggest cinematic showdowns of the year as Yash Raj Films’ highly-anticipated spy thriller, War 2, prepares to hit the screens on August 14, on the eve of Independence Day. However, despite the immense hype surrounding its star-studded cast and its place in the coveted YRF Spy Universe, early box office predictions for its opening day are hovering in the range of ₹19–20 crore. This figure, while significant, marks a substantial departure from the record-breaking debut of its predecessor, War, and signals the intense competition the film faces from Rajinikanth’s Coolie.
A Closer Look at the Predictions and Advance Bookings
The initial predictions, based on a combination of advance ticket sales and market buzz, suggest that War 2 is poised for a strong but not earth-shattering start. As of Wednesday morning, a day before its release, the film’s advance booking is showing a promising trend, with some reports indicating a gross of over ₹17 crore when blocked seats are factored in.
The advance sales are revealing some interesting trends:
- Hindi Version Dominates: The original Hindi version of the film is the main revenue driver, with its collections across 2D, IMAX 2D, 4DX, and other premium formats contributing the lion’s share of the advance booking.
- Telugu Market’s Impact: The presence of Telugu superstar Jr. NTR as the antagonist has provided a significant boost in the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Advance booking in these regions, which opened later than in the Hindi belt, has been robust, with tickets selling at an impressive pace. The dubbed Telugu version is the second-highest earner in the advance booking period.
- A Tale of Two Franchises: The predictions for War 2 must be viewed in the context of its direct clash with another major release, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Tamil crime thriller Coolie. Starring the legendary Rajinikanth, Coolie has reportedly taken the lead in advance bookings, particularly in South India, with some sources predicting a colossal opening day collection for the film. This clash is undoubtedly splitting the audience and impacting War 2‘s potential to dominate the box office nationwide.
The Shadow of the First War
One of the key talking points surrounding War 2‘s box office performance is its comparison to the 2019 original. The first War, starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, was a box office juggernaut, opening to a massive ₹53.35 crore and going on to become a blockbuster with a lifetime gross of over ₹318 crore. The sequel, with a predicted opening day of around ₹19–20 crore, is facing the challenge of living up to that monumental benchmark.
The reasons for this disparity are multi-faceted:
- Intense Competition: The absence of a major clash for the first War allowed it to capture a wider audience and a larger screen count. War 2, on the other hand, is sharing the Independence Day holiday weekend with Coolie, which is generating its own significant buzz.
- Franchise Fatigue? While the YRF Spy Universe has a dedicated fan base, the recent box office performance of Tiger 3, which fell short of expectations, has raised questions about the franchise’s momentum. War 2 is carrying the weight of not only living up to its predecessor but also reviving the franchise’s commercial success.
- Ticket Pricing: The high ticket prices, with some premium seats touching well over ₹2,000, could also be a factor. While high prices can boost initial collections, they can also deter some moviegoers, especially in the long run.
The Ayan Mukerji and Jr. NTR Factor
War 2 marks a significant turning point for both its director and its new lead actor. Ayan Mukerji, known for his work with Dharma Productions, is helming his first film under the YRF banner. His directorial style, which brought visual spectacle to films like Brahmastra, is a key element that audiences are eager to see in the action genre.
The casting of Jr. NTR as the antagonist opposite Hrithik Roshan is a masterstroke that has created unprecedented excitement. The face-off between two of India’s most charismatic and talented actors is the film’s main selling point. Jr. NTR’s immense popularity in South India is a major reason why the film is seeing a strong pre-release response in the Telugu-speaking regions. The film’s makers are strategically leveraging this crossover appeal to turn War 2 into a pan-Indian spectacle.
The Road Ahead
While the opening day predictions may not be as high as some fans hoped, the fate of War 2 is far from sealed. The film’s success will ultimately depend on its content and the audience’s response. A positive word-of-mouth can lead to a significant surge in collections over the extended Independence Day weekend.
The clash with Coolie is also not a zero-sum game. Both films have the potential to perform well in their respective markets. War 2 is expected to dominate the Hindi-speaking circuits, while Coolie is likely to lead in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The real battle will be fought in the Telugu states, where both films are expected to have a strong foothold.
Ultimately, the opening day collection is just the first chapter of a film’s box office journey. The true test of War 2‘s mettle will be its ability to sustain its performance in the days and weeks to come. With its star power, grand scale, and position in a major cinematic universe, War 2 is a film that will be closely watched by the entire industry.