The Indian box office witnessed a monumental clash this Independence Day weekend as two of the most anticipated films of the year, Rajinikanth’s “Coolie” and the Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR starrer “War 2,” went head-to-head. Both magnum opuses, released on August 14, 2025, have set the cash registers ringing, with the competition heating up over the first two days.
“Coolie,” the Tamil action-thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stormed the box office on its opening day, emerging as the clear winner. The film achieved a staggering worldwide gross of over ₹150 crores on its first day, marking an all-time record for the Tamil film industry. In India, “Coolie” raked in over ₹66 crores, showcasing Rajinikanth’s enduring star power.
On the other hand, “War 2,” the latest installment in the YRF Spy Universe, had a strong but comparatively slower start. The Ayan Mukerji directorial collected over ₹80 crore worldwide on its opening day, with domestic collections hovering around ₹50 crore. Despite the star power of Hrithik Roshan and the Bollywood debut of Telugu superstar Jr NTR, the film initially trailed behind “Coolie.”
However, the box office narrative took a dramatic turn on the second day. While “Coolie” saw a dip in its collections, “War 2” witnessed a significant surge, particularly in the Hindi-speaking markets. On its second day, “War 2” collected an impressive ₹56.5 crore in India, taking its two-day total to over ₹108 crore. In a surprising twist, “War 2” managed to surpass “Coolie” on the second day, with the latter earning ₹53.5 crore.
The two-day domestic collections for “Coolie” stand at a formidable ₹118.5 crore. Both films have successfully crossed the ₹100 crore mark within just two days of their release, signaling a celebratory mood for the Indian film industry.
The critical reception for both films has been mixed. While audiences have lauded the star performances and grand scale of both movies, the screenplays have drawn some criticism for being predictable and lacking in depth.
The coming days will be crucial in determining the long-term box office trajectory of both “Coolie” and “War 2,” as word-of-mouth will play a significant role in sustaining their impressive opening numbers. The ongoing box office tussle between the two behemoths is being closely watched by trade analysts and cinephiles alike, promising an exciting and potentially record-breaking cinematic season.
