‘War 2’, Yash Raj Films’ ambitious spy-universe sequel starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, released with sky-high expectations on 14th August 2025—but its fortunes have dipped sharply just four days in.

Box Office Collection Breakdown (First 4 Days)

• Day 1: ₹52 crore

• Day 2: ₹57.35 crore

• Day 3: ₹33.25 crore

• Day 4 (Sunday): ₹31 crore

• Total (India, 4 Days): ₹173 crore

Despite a strong opening, earnings have been declining each day—and Sunday registered the lowest box office of the four days, a troubling sign for a big-budget action film that’s supposed to peak on the weekend.

Comparison With Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ & Previous YRF Hits

• Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’, released the same day, is outperforming ‘War 2’ and dominating the box office.

• The first ‘War’ (2019) outperformed the sequel’s Sunday despite a smaller budget (₹37.4 crore Sunday for ‘War’ vs. ₹31 crore for ‘War 2’).

• The South Indian star Jr. NTR’s presence in ‘War 2’ was expected to give it a pan-India boost, especially in Telugu markets—but those gains have not materialized as hoped.

The Financial Risk

• Budget: ₹400 crore (double or more compared to the original)

• Collections are not keeping pace with the budget, making recovery a massive challenge unless collections stabilize or surge unexpectedly.

• YRF’s strategy to use ‘War 2’ as the foundation for future spy universe installments now appears at risk.

What Went Wrong?

• Script and Execution: Viewers and critics have flagged plot loopholes, underwhelming action, and lack of novelty, leading to lukewarm word-of-mouth.

• Business Decline: A downward trend in daily earnings signals weak audience retention.

• Competitive Releases: The simultaneous release of a Rajinikanth blockbuster has also hurt its run, particularly in the south.