Coolie vs War 2 Box Office Collection Week 1: Rajinikanth Leads, Hrithik-Jr NTR Struggle After Saiyaara Wave

Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR’s War 2, the much-hyped Independence Day releases, have completed their first week at the box office. Despite crossing the ₹200 crore mark domestically, both films are struggling to keep pace with expectations, especially in the shadow of the Saiyaara phenomenon.

Box Office Breakdown

At the end of week one:

War 2: ₹204.25 crore (domestic)

Coolie: ₹229.75 crore (domestic)

While Coolie opened as Rajinikanth’s highest-ever grosser, War 2 managed the second-highest Hindi opening of 2025 after Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava. The Hrithik-Jr NTR starrer collected ₹29 crore on Day 1, spiking to ₹44 crore on Independence Day, but soon lost momentum amid lukewarm reviews.

Notably, War 2 marked Jr NTR’s Hindi debut. The film had an encouraging start in Telugu markets but fizzled out as word of mouth remained average.

Expert Take

“War 2 is a flop — the first from YRF’s Spy Universe. Coolie has done well in Tamil markets but failed to make an impact in the Hindi belt. Star power can bring openings, but it’s always content that sustains a film.”

Saiyaara’s Shadow

The unprecedented success of Saiyaara continues to loom large over new releases. Starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the romantic drama became the highest-earning love story in Hindi cinema history, forcing several big films — including Son of Sardaar 2 and Param Sundari — to delay their releases.

With ₹183 crore (Housefull 5), ₹173 crore (Raid 2), and ₹163 crore (Sitaare Zameen Par) left behind, Saiyaara created a benchmark that neither Coolie nor War 2 could surpass.

About the Films

Coolie: Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, this marks Rajinikanth’s 171st outing, featuring Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj. Produced by Sun Pictures, it also has a cameo by Aamir Khan.

War 2: Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the action thriller unites Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR for the first time, with Kiara Advani in a key role. A sequel to the 2019 blockbuster, it is part of YRF’s ambitious Spy Universe.