Coolie vs War 2: Pan-India Box Office Clash Heats Up
August 13, 2025 Published by rajeshe092eb6a68
The stage is set for one of the biggest cinematic clashes of 2025 as Superstar Rajinikanth’s Coolie and NTR–Hrithik Roshan’s War 2 lock horns at the box office on August 14. With both films backed by massive banners and releasing across India in multiple languages, the battle is particularly intense in the Telugu states, where the hype is reaching fever pitch.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie has maintained its momentum, securing massive bookings in the Telugu market despite going up against War 2. Interestingly, while War 2 has bagged some of the prime screens in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Coolie is reportedly seeing higher ticket demand, especially in Hyderabad.
The NTR factor is expected to drive War 2’s collections in the Telugu states, but trade sources note that Coolie is putting up a surprisingly strong fight despite the competition.
Pre-Sales Numbers
Worldwide Advance Sales (as of Aug 12):
- Coolie: ?90+ crore
- War 2: ?25+ crore (sales picking up since yesterday)
North America Premieres Pre-Sales (as of 11 AM PST, Aug 12):
- Coolie: $2.145M+ from 1,846 shows — Highest Premiere Pre-Sales for a Tamil Film
- War 2: $558.4K from 2,036 shows — needs a final-day push to hit the $1M mark
Why the Buzz?
Coolie is riding on multiple strengths: Rajinikanth’s charisma, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction, Nagarjuna’s role, Anirudh’s chart-topping music, and a multi-star cast that appeals across regions. Its mix of mass action and star power has created a wave of excitement that feels unstoppable.
War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, has a different appeal — a stylish commercial action drama with a Bollywood touch, powered by NTR’s craze and Hrithik Roshan’s star presence. If its early shows click with audiences, it could see a significant boost from strong word-of-mouth.
With just hours to go before the big release, all eyes are on whether Coolie can convert its hype into box office dominance or if War 2 can mount a last-minute surge. Either way, August 14 is shaping up to be a historic day for Indian cinema.
