Ayan Mukerji’s spy thriller War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, has shown a significant recovery on its second day, driven by the Independence Day holiday. After what some trade analysts considered a slower-than-expected opening day, the film gained momentum, pushing its total India collection to an estimated ₹84.25 crore net by the end of Friday.
Day 2 Performance and Box Office Battle
The film’s opening day, Thursday, brought in ₹52.25 crore net in India, with ₹29 crore from the Hindi version and a strong ₹23.25 crore from the Telugu-dubbed version, thanks to Jr. NTR’s star power. Despite a ₹50+ crore opening, the figure was seen as underwhelming by many who had projected a higher collection, closer to ₹75-100 crore, especially given the film’s star-studded cast and massive budget.
However, War 2 saw a positive turn on Friday, August 15. The film earned an estimated ₹32 crore net on its second day, bringing its two-day domestic total to over ₹84 crore. This performance allowed it to surpass its box office rival, Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which reportedly earned ₹26 crore net on Friday.
Part of a Larger Universe
War 2 is the latest installment in the YRF Spy Universe, which also includes the Tiger films and Pathaan. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film features Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir, alongside Jr. NTR in his Hindi cinema debut. Kiara Advani and Ashutosh Rana also have key roles. The film’s post-credits scene sets up the next chapter of the Spyverse, Alpha, which will star Bobby Deol, Alia Bhatt, and Sharvari.
With a budget of over ₹300 crore, War 2 will need to maintain its momentum over the weekend to be considered a box office success, a challenge it is tackling despite mixed reviews from critics.