Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR joining forces for War 2 was nothing short of a dream for action lovers, and with Kiara Advani adding glamour and charm, the hype was real. The film, directed by Ayan Mukerji, was riding on massive pre-release buzz, decent advance bookings in Hindi and Telugu belts, and sky-high expectations in Hindi circuits. But when the Day 1 numbers rolled in, the reality was a tad bittersweet.
The Build-Up: Hype That Shook The Industry
Ever since its announcement, War 2 had been positioned as one of the biggest action spectacles of 2025. From jaw-dropping teasers to stylish promotional campaigns, YRF’s Spy Universe left no stone unturned in creating a frenzy. The trade circles were buzzing with predictions that the film could touch the magical ₹50 crore mark in Hindi alone on its opening day.
Fans of Hrithik Roshan were waiting to see Kabir back in action, while Jr NTR’s pan-India pull after RRR meant the South markets were also on fire. Add to that Kiara Advani’s glamor quotient and Ayan Mukerji’s flair for scale and spectacle — everything pointed towards an explosive start. Also Read: War 2 Movie Review.
War 2 Day 1 Box Office Collection
War 2 starts well at the #BoxOffice 👍
However, the expectations were sky-high for #HrithikRoshan, #JrNTR, #KiaraAdvani‘s #War2, and to be honest, the numbers do not meet the mark
The true & loyal fans of #Hrithik & #NTR will agree to this…
At one stage, it was looking like… pic.twitter.com/pR4y9WvyIx
— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) August 15, 2025
While War 2 opened big, it didn’t quite hit those lofty ₹50 crore Hindi-only projections. Here’s how the Day 1 collections shaped up across languages:
- Hindi: ₹29 crore
- Telugu: ₹23.25 crore
- Tamil: ₹0.25 crore
- Total (All Languages): ₹52.5 crore nett in India
The Hindi market, which was expected to lead the charge with record-breaking numbers, fell short of predictions. On the other hand, the Telugu version’s performance was highly impressive — a testament to Jr NTR’s superstar pull in the South. Tamil Nadu’s contribution, however, remained negligible.
Why Was The Hindi Opening Lower Than Expected?
A few factors played into the Hindi numbers being lower than the hype suggested:
Mid-Week Release: The film opened on a Thursday, which, while strategic for the extended Independence Day weekend, meant the big crowd-pulling holiday was still a day away.
Mixed Early Word of Mouth: While action sequences and performances were praised, some viewers felt the pace dipped in parts, leading to divided opinions on social media. Also, most of the critics pointed out its poor and subpar VFX.
Heavy Competition With Coolie: With Rajinikanth’s Coolie dominating in Tamil Nadu and the majority of the South, audience spending has been split across titles.
The Bright Spot: Telugu Territories Shine
The real show-stealer for War 2’s opening day was the Telugu version. Clocking ₹23.25 crore nett on Day 1, it’s clear that Jr NTR’s magnetic screen presence and loyal fanbase played a massive role. The film enjoyed houseful shows in several Telugu-speaking cities, with fans celebrating the release like a festival.
What’s Next For War 2: Independence Day Surge
With Independence Day falling on Day 2, trade experts are expecting a big jump in numbers across all territories. The extended weekend should give War 2 the boost it needs to recover from a slightly underwhelming Hindi opening. The true test, however, will begin on Monday, when the holiday hype settles and the film’s box office fate will rely purely on content and audience retention.
Final Word
War 2 has started its box office journey with a solid but not record-breaking opening. The ₹52.5 crore all-language total is nothing to scoff at, but given the colossal hype, the Hindi figure feels just a shade lower than expected. Still, with two mega superstars in the lead, a long weekend ahead, and the undeniable pull of the Spy Universe brand, the film has every chance to turn the tide in the days to come.
The coming week will decide if War 2 becomes the hit it was destined to be or settles for a more modest blockbuster status. One thing’s for sure — it was a golden opportunity missed by the writer and director with two heavyweights of Bollywood and Tollywood, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR shared the same screen.
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