War 2 Box Office Crash: How Hrithik Roshan’s ₹400 Crore Spy Universe Gamble Turned into Bollywood’s Biggest Flop of 2025

YRF’s Spy Universe in Danger? War 2 Loses Steam Against Rajinikanth’s Coolie After ₹173 Crore Four-Day Struggle

The world of Bollywood is no stranger to high-budget action spectacles, but when expectations clash with reality, the results can shake even the strongest production houses. Hrithik Roshan’s highly anticipated War 2, released on 14th August, was expected to dominate the box office and set new benchmarks for Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe. However, the film has failed to deliver the thunderous numbers that both critics and fans were anticipating. Despite the legacy of its predecessor, War (2019), which became a massive blockbuster, War 2 has struggled to maintain its momentum beyond the opening day. In just four days, the film has shown a sharp decline in collections, raising alarm bells for YRF and leaving industry insiders questioning whether this ambitious project can recover its colossal budget of ₹400 crores.

The film’s underperformance has become even more glaring in the face of Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which released on the same day and is now overshadowing War 2 at the box office. With Hrithik Roshan returning as the face of YRF’s Spy Universe alongside Junior NTR, the movie had all the elements to create a box office storm. But the reality is far from expected, and the decline in earnings with each passing day paints a grim picture for the future of the franchise. In this detailed article, we will explore the box office journey of War 2 so far, the reasons behind its downfall, comparisons with the original War, and whether YRF’s ambitious spy universe is in jeopardy.

War 2 Box Office Collection: A Shaky Start

When War 2 hit the theatres, the excitement was palpable. Fans thronged cinemas on opening day, giving the film a strong head start with collections of ₹52 crores. However, this initial surge of enthusiasm could not sustain itself. On the second day, the film registered earnings of ₹57.35 crores, which at first glance looked promising. But the real concern began during the weekend, when box office numbers traditionally skyrocket for major releases.

Instead of rising, collections tumbled. On the third day, Saturday, the film managed only ₹33.25 crores, a stark contrast to the hype surrounding it. The situation worsened on Sunday, when earnings further dipped to ₹31 crores. For a film with a production budget of ₹400 crores, these numbers are deeply concerning. Over its first four days, War 2 has amassed a total of ₹173 crores from India, a figure that seems underwhelming compared to the investment and expectations tied to the project.

The Shadow of Coolie: Rajinikanth Steals the Thunder

Adding to the woes of War 2 is the strong performance of Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which released simultaneously. Despite not being part of a cinematic universe or backed by the same kind of marketing blitz as War 2, Coolie has emerged as a box office winner. On the fourth day, it outperformed Hrithik’s action spectacle, creating a major setback for YRF.

The South Indian market has always been robust, but this time, Rajinikanth’s charisma has overshadowed Bollywood’s big-ticket release. Audiences are flocking to theatres for Coolie, leaving War 2 struggling to pull crowds. This unexpected competition has further exposed the cracks in YRF’s planning, highlighting how even established franchises can falter when faced with strong regional cinema.

War 2 vs War (2019): A Disappointing Comparison

The success of War (2019) set an incredibly high bar for its sequel. The original film, starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, opened with phenomenal collections and delivered consistent numbers throughout its run. On its first Sunday alone, War had earned ₹37.40 crores, a figure that dwarfs the ₹31 crores collected by War 2 on the same day.

What makes the comparison more disappointing is the fact that War (2019) achieved these numbers without the support of the South Indian film industry. In contrast, War 2 features Telugu superstar Junior NTR, whose inclusion was expected to boost collections significantly in southern states. Unfortunately, even with his presence, the numbers have fallen flat.

This shows that big names and higher budgets do not automatically guarantee success. Instead, audience response to storytelling, freshness, and emotional connection remains the ultimate deciding factor.

Why YRF’s Spy Universe May Be in Trouble

YRF’s Spy Universe was envisioned as Bollywood’s answer to Hollywood franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With blockbusters like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan, the franchise seemed unstoppable. But War 2 has brought this dream crashing down to earth.

The stakes for War 2 were incredibly high, not just as a standalone film but as a cornerstone for upcoming installments of the Spy Universe. YRF invested heavily, both financially and creatively, with the film’s budget reportedly around ₹400 crores. Yet, the response has been lukewarm at best.

The weak storyline, predictable action sequences, and lack of novelty appear to have worked against the film. Critics and audiences alike have pointed out that while the film boasts spectacular visuals, it falls short in terms of engaging content. This lack of substance may be the key reason why audiences are not returning to theatres for repeat viewings, which is crucial for sustaining box office momentum.

If War 2 fails to recover its budget, it could severely impact the confidence in future projects within the YRF Spy Universe, making investors and audiences skeptical about what lies ahead.

The Road Ahead: Can War 2 Recover?

Despite the shaky start, all is not lost for War 2. The real test lies in its performance during the weekdays and the second weekend. Word of mouth, international collections, and satellite/digital rights sales could still help the film recover some of its massive investment. However, the challenge is steep, especially with competition from Coolie and upcoming releases threatening to steal its audience further.

For YRF, the immediate task is damage control. Whether through aggressive promotions, new marketing strategies, or leveraging international markets, the studio must find ways to keep the film alive in public conversation. Only time will tell if Hrithik Roshan’s star power can salvage what currently looks like one of Bollywood’s most disappointing big-budget ventures in recent years.

FAQs

Q1: How much did War 2 earn in its first four days?
War 2 earned approximately ₹173 crores from India in its first four days, which is significantly lower than expectations for a film with a ₹400 crore budget.

Q2: How does War 2 compare to War (2019)?
While War (2019) had stronger collections and greater consistency, War 2 has seen a sharp decline in numbers despite having a bigger budget and Junior NTR’s star power.

Q3: What was the budget of War 2?
The production budget of War 2 is estimated at around ₹400 crores, making it one of the most expensive films in YRF’s Spy Universe.

Q4: Why is War 2 underperforming?
Weak storytelling, predictable action, competition from Coolie, and high audience expectations have contributed to the film’s disappointing box office performance.

Q5: Can War 2 still recover its losses?
Recovery is possible through international earnings and digital rights, but matching or surpassing its budget at the Indian box office alone appears difficult.

Conclusion

War 2 was intended to be a milestone in YRF’s Spy Universe, but its underwhelming performance has raised serious questions about the future of the franchise. While Hrithik Roshan’s star appeal and Junior NTR’s presence created massive pre-release buzz, the film’s inability to deliver consistent box office numbers has turned it into one of the most talked-about failures of 2025 so far. Unless the film manages to find momentum in the coming weeks, it risks becoming a cautionary tale for Bollywood about the dangers of relying solely on big budgets and star power without ensuring strong storytelling.