By Entertainment Desk | Updated Aug 15, 2025
🎬 Lights, camera… controversy!
War 2, the crown jewel of Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe, blasted into cinemas on August 14 with the kind of hype only a Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR crossover can generate. Fans expected fireworks. The industry expected records. And YRF? They expected headlines.
Well, they got them — just not all the ones they wanted.
🚀 The Launch: Big Bang, Slight Dent
First things first — the numbers.
- India Net Day 1: ₹52.50 crore
- Worldwide Gross: ₹90+ crore (est.)
- Screens: 7,000+ worldwide
It’s a huge opening by any normal standard — but here’s the twist: it’s below both War (₹53 crore) and Pathaan (₹57 crore) despite doubling the star power.
Industry insiders are already whispering: Was this the peak, or just the ignition?
🎭 The Plot: Globetrotters With Guns
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 picks up after the events of Pathaan and Tiger 3. Hrithik returns as Kabir, Jr NTR storms in as a mysterious rival-ally, and Kiara Advani plays a sharp-witted agent caught in the chaos.
Think: exotic locations, chopper chases, underwater combat, and the kind of slow-motion shots where everyone looks like they just stepped out of a perfume ad.
💥 The Clash: Rajinikanth’s Coolie Wins Round 1
Here’s the real masala: War 2 didn’t just release — it collided with Rajinikanth’s Coolie, a Lokesh Kanagaraj thriller packed with cameos from across Indian cinema.
And guess what? Rajini, at 74, walked away with ₹65 crore net Day 1 in India — with fewer screens.
One trade analyst summed it up perfectly:
“Hrithik and Jr NTR brought the guns. Rajini brought the army.”
📝 The Reviews: Star Power, Script Trouble
Critics are… conflicted.
- Taran Adarsh: 1.5 stars. “Star power, scale, style, stunts… but lacks soul. Weakest in the Spy Universe.”
- Hindustan Times: “Like splurging on a fancy meal, only to realise halfway you don’t like it.”
- Fans: “Action is 🔥, story is 🥶.”
📱 The Instagram ‘Editing’ Scandal
Now for the viral drama.
YRF’s official Instagram Story featured a glowing snippet of Taran Adarsh’s review:
“Has star power, scale, style, stunts – Taran Adarsh”
Sounds great, right? Until Reddit detectives pulled up the full quote, which ended with:
“…but lacks soul… Not even Hrithik Roshan or Jr NTR can save this royal mess.”
Cue the internet roasting:
- “Turning 0s into 100s. Give the intern a raise.”
- “Need this skill for my CV.”
- “This is Mission Impossible: Spin Protocol.”
🎟 Audience Buzz: The People’s Verdict
At theatres, reactions range from cheers to groans.
- ✅ Action sequences & star chemistry — massive applause.
- ❌ Writing & pacing — not so much.
- 🤝 Jr NTR’s Bollywood debut — embraced by both North & South fans.
📊 War 2 Day 1 Box Office vs YRF Spy Universe
- Pathaan — ₹57 crore
- War (2019) — ₹53 crore
- War 2 — ₹52.50 crore
- Tiger Zinda Hai — ₹34 crore
🎯 The Road Ahead
The next 72 hours are make or break. Strong word-of-mouth could push War 2 past ₹200 crore by Sunday. But if the Coolie wave keeps rising, even two superstars might find themselves in a box office dogfight.
💬 Your turn — Did War 2 meet your expectations or leave you wanting more? Drop your unfiltered reviews below (YRF can’t edit them here 😉).