Monday Box Office Shock: ‘Coolie’ Crosses 200 Crores, ‘War 2’ Stumbles, and the Unexpected Rise of ‘Mahavatar Narasimha’ & ‘Saiyaara

Unstoppable Rajinikanth! ‘Coolie’ Overtakes ‘War 2’ as ‘Saiyaara’ Smashes 300 Crores and ‘Mahavatar Narasimha’ Stuns Trade Analysts

The Indian box office has been buzzing with high-profile releases in recent weeks, creating a competitive environment among major films. With multiple big-budget productions hitting theatres almost simultaneously, the Monday test has once again proven to be the litmus test for sustainability. Among these, superstar Rajinikanth’s Coolie has not only made its way into the coveted 200-crore club but has also outperformed the much-anticipated War 2 featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. The battle between these two cinematic giants has caught the attention of audiences and trade analysts alike, with Coolie maintaining its stronghold even after the festive weekend boost started to decline.

At the same time, films like Mahavatar Narasimha, Saiyaara, and Udaipur Files have been writing their own box office stories, each representing a different genre and scale. While Mahavatar Narasimha continues to draw audiences in its fourth week, Saiyaara is celebrating blockbuster status after over a month of release. Meanwhile, Udaipur Files has ended its theatrical journey, leaving room for newer titles. This article provides a detailed breakdown of how these films performed during the critical Monday test, analyzing their collections, audience response, and overall box office trajectory.

‘War 2’ Faces a Sharp Drop on Monday

Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, released on August 14 amid sky-high expectations. The film had a powerful opening weekend, driven by the festive Independence Day holiday and strong fan anticipation. Over its first four days, War 2 enjoyed double-digit collections consistently, peaking with a Sunday earning of ₹32.15 crore. However, the true test of its hold came on Monday, when collections slipped drastically to just ₹8.4 crore. This sharp decline raised questions about the film’s long-term box office performance, especially when compared to its rival releases. Despite the drop, the film has managed to accumulate a total of ₹183.17 crore, reflecting its massive initial pull but also highlighting its struggle with sustaining momentum.

Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ Emerges Victorious

In direct competition with War 2, Rajinikanth’s Coolie stormed theatres on the same date, August 14. From the very first day, the film showcased its dominance at the ticket windows. Rajinikanth’s unparalleled star power and the film’s mass appeal ensured that Coolie not only matched but surpassed War 2 in most territories. The Monday test once again highlighted this difference. On Sunday, the film collected a robust ₹35.25 crore, and on Monday, it maintained a much stronger grip with earnings of ₹12.15 crore—far ahead of War 2’s Monday performance. With these figures, Coolie has achieved a total collection of ₹206.65 crore, marking it as a certified blockbuster within just a week of release. Trade experts predict that the film will continue to grow in the coming days, consolidating Rajinikanth’s reputation as one of India’s most bankable stars.

‘Mahavatar Narasimha’ Maintains Its Charm

While newer films battle for dominance, Mahavatar Narasimha, an animated mythological spectacle, continues to perform remarkably well even in its fourth week. The film has defied expectations by sustaining steady collections, proving that content-driven cinema can thrive alongside star-powered blockbusters. On the Sunday of its fourth week, the film earned ₹8.15 crore, while Monday saw it add another ₹2.25 crore. With a total collection now standing at ₹212.75 crore, Mahavatar Narasimha has carved out a niche for itself and demonstrated the long-term box office potential of well-crafted animated features. Its success also signals a growing acceptance of non-traditional genres in mainstream cinema.

‘Saiyaara’ Crosses 300 Crores After a Month

Released on July 18, Saiyaara has turned into one of the biggest hits of the year. After more than a month in theatres, the film continues to rake in money, albeit at a much slower pace. On Monday, the film added ₹17 lakhs to its already massive collection, pushing its total to ₹324.4 crore. Though its theatrical run is nearing the end, the film’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Its strong storyline, impactful performances, and emotional resonance have turned it into a cultural phenomenon, ensuring that its legacy will last long beyond its box office numbers.

‘Udaipur Files’ Ends Its Run

In contrast to the blockbusters still holding strong, Udaipur Files has quietly wrapped up its theatrical journey. Despite its initial buzz, the film was unable to sustain itself against the onslaught of bigger and more commercially viable releases. With limited earnings and dwindling screens, it has now bid farewell to theatres, making way for the upcoming slate of films in the coming weeks.

Conclusion

The current box office landscape showcases the incredible variety and competition within Indian cinema. Rajinikanth’s Coolie has proven its supremacy over War 2, reaffirming the superstar’s unmatched appeal. Meanwhile, Mahavatar Narasimha has displayed longevity that is rare for animated films, while Saiyaara has cemented its place as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters. On the other hand, Udaipur Files could not keep up with the intense competition. As audiences continue to flock to theatres, the coming weeks will reveal whether Coolie maintains its dominance or if newer films can shift the balance.

FAQs

Q1. Which film is leading the box office between ‘Coolie’ and ‘War 2’?
Rajinikanth’s Coolie is leading, with higher Monday collections and a total of over ₹206 crore, compared to War 2’s ₹183 crore.

Q2. How much did ‘Mahavatar Narasimha’ earn on Monday?
The animated film earned ₹2.25 crore on Monday, bringing its total to ₹212.75 crore.

Q3. Is ‘Saiyaara’ still running in theatres?
Yes, although at reduced screens. It has completed over a month at the box office with collections surpassing ₹324 crore.

Q4. Did ‘War 2’ benefit from its star cast during opening weekend?
Yes, War 2 had a strong opening driven by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s fan base, but it witnessed a sharp drop after the festive weekend.

Q5. Why did ‘Udaipur Files’ end its theatrical run early?
The film struggled to sustain against larger releases and was eventually withdrawn from most theatres due to poor performance.