Coolie vs War 2 Box Office War: How Rajinikanth Beat Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR in Just 4 Days With a Record-Breaking ₹194 Crore
The Shocking Truth Behind Coolie’s ₹200 Crore Chase: Why War 2 Is Struggling Despite Bigger Screens and Hrithik–NTR Magic
The Indian film industry is no stranger to big clashes at the box office, but when two mega projects release simultaneously, the competition becomes fierce and unpredictable. This time, superstar Rajinikanth’s Tamil action drama Coolie has locked horns with Bollywood’s high-octane action entertainer War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. Both films arrived with massive hype, grand promotions, and a loyal fan base backing them.
The buzz around Coolie was enormous as it marked Rajinikanth’s collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj, who is known for creating cinematic universes and delivering commercial hits. Meanwhile, War 2 carried the weight of being the sequel to one of Bollywood’s biggest action blockbusters, promising audiences an even grander spectacle under the direction of Ayan Mukerji. As expected, both films opened to massive box office numbers, but the real test was not just the opening but the sustainability of collections in the following days.
Interestingly, while Coolie has managed to maintain a slight edge over War 2 in overall earnings, both films witnessed a decline in business after their first weekend. Despite this drop, the momentum still favors Rajinikanth’s film, which has crossed the ₹190 crore mark in just four days and is inching closer to the prestigious ₹200 crore club. On the other hand, War 2, though performing well, is still behind Coolie with a four-day total of ₹173.60 crore. The numbers reveal an intense battle, but also highlight how both films are driving audiences in large numbers, making this clash one of the most remarkable showdowns of 2025.
Coolie’s Box Office Journey So Far
Rajinikanth’s Coolie opened to thunderous response across India, registering ₹65 crore on its first day. The film continued its strong run with ₹54.75 crore on day two and ₹39.5 crore on day three. Despite Sunday usually being the strongest day for most films, Coolie saw no significant jump, collecting ₹35 crore. Still, these figures were more than enough to establish its dominance, bringing its four-day total to a whopping ₹194.25 crore nationwide.
The film has already shattered several Tamil cinema records, emerging as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 within just a few days of release. The Lokesh Kanagaraj-Rajinikanth combination has clearly worked well, attracting both family audiences and young cinegoers. Though reviews were mixed, with some critics pointing out loopholes in the script, the sheer star power of Rajinikanth and the mass appeal of the narrative ensured that theaters remained packed, especially in South India.
War 2’s Strong Yet Challenging Run
War 2, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, entered the box office race with a solid start. The film earned ₹52 crore on its opening day, followed by an impressive ₹57.35 crore on day two, becoming the highest single-day grosser in the clash. However, its collections took a dip on the third and fourth days, dropping to ₹33.25 crore and ₹31 crore, respectively. This brought its total to ₹173.60 crore in four days.
Despite having more screens across India compared to Coolie, the film has struggled to maintain the same momentum. However, action lovers have praised the high-octane stunts, Hrithik’s charisma, and Jr. NTR’s powerful screen presence. With Kiara Advani and Ashutosh Rana also adding weight to the cast, the film continues to attract a wide audience base. Yet, in terms of overall earnings, it remains a step behind Coolie.
The Race to the ₹200 Crore Club
Currently, Coolie has an edge over War 2 with ₹194.25 crore, just shy of entering the ₹200 crore club. Given Rajinikanth’s massive following and the anticipation around the film, trade experts expect it to surpass this milestone within its first week. On the other hand, War 2 stands at ₹173.60 crore, and while it is performing strongly, it will need consistent collections to catch up to its rival.
The coming weekdays, especially the crucial Monday test, will determine how both films sustain their box office journey. Typically, a sharp drop in collections on Monday signals fading momentum, while steady numbers indicate strong word-of-mouth. All eyes are now on whether Coolie maintains its dominance or if War 2 manages a comeback with stronger weekday holds.
Star Power Driving the Films
One of the biggest reasons behind Coolie’s success is undoubtedly Rajinikanth himself. Even at this stage of his career, his films command an unmatched craze, drawing audiences of all age groups to theaters. With supporting performances by Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj, plus a surprising cameo from Aamir Khan, Coolie boasts a power-packed ensemble that adds further appeal.
On the other hand, War 2 banks heavily on its lead duo, Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. Hrithik’s return as a suave action hero has thrilled Bollywood fans, while Jr. NTR’s pan-India appeal has ensured strong traction in the South markets. Under Ayan Mukerji’s direction, the film promises a stylish cinematic experience, but its challenge lies in maintaining consistent audience pull against the Rajinikanth juggernaut.
Critical Reception and Audience Buzz
While Coolie received mixed reviews from critics, audiences have largely given it a thumbs up, praising Rajinikanth’s screen presence and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s larger-than-life storytelling. Social media has played a big role in boosting its hype, with fans celebrating the film’s dialogues, action scenes, and emotional moments.
In contrast, War 2 has been applauded for its action choreography, VFX, and star power, but some critics felt the storyline was predictable compared to the high standards set by its predecessor. Still, the movie continues to enjoy a steady buzz, especially in multiplex circuits and among younger audiences.
Future Outlook for Both Films
The next few days are extremely crucial for both Coolie and War 2. While Coolie seems poised to hit the ₹200 crore milestone, its long-term success will depend on how well it sustains beyond the first week. War 2, though slightly behind, has enough star power and action spectacle to keep audiences engaged in the coming weeks.
Given that both films belong to different industries yet released simultaneously, their clash has provided a unique cinematic experience, proving yet again how Indian cinema is growing beyond regional boundaries.
Conclusion
The box office clash between Coolie and War 2 has become one of the most exciting rivalries in recent memory. While both films have delivered massive numbers, Rajinikanth’s Coolie currently leads the race, inching toward the ₹200 crore mark faster than Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR’s War 2. With big names, star power, and audience enthusiasm backing both projects, the coming weeks will decide who ultimately emerges as the long-term winner. Regardless of numbers, Indian cinema fans are the true winners, enjoying two mega blockbusters simultaneously.
FAQs
Q1. Which film is earning more between Coolie and War 2?
Currently, Rajinikanth’s Coolie is ahead with ₹194.25 crore in four days, while War 2 has earned ₹173.60 crore.
Q2. Who directed Coolie?
Coolie is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and features Rajinikanth in the lead role.
Q3. What is the total collection of War 2 so far?
War 2 has collected ₹173.60 crore in four days at the Indian box office.
Q4. Has Coolie entered the ₹200 crore club?
Not yet, but the film is just a few crores short and expected to cross ₹200 crore soon.
Q5. Which stars feature in War 2?
War 2 stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, Kiara Advani, and Ashutosh Rana in pivotal roles.
