Inside the Coolie vs War 2 Battle: Shocking First Weekend Numbers Reveal Who Is Truly Winning the ₹400 Crore Clash
Coolie or War 2? The Ultimate Box Office Showdown of 2025 That Shook Bollywood and South Indian Cinema
The Indian box office witnessed a massive clash on 14th August 2025 when two of the biggest films of the year, Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan’s War 2, hit the screens on the same day. Both films arrived with tremendous expectations, mammoth budgets of ₹400 crores each, and enormous fan anticipation. The release date coincided with the Independence Day weekend, which is traditionally considered one of the most lucrative windows for Bollywood and South Indian cinema. With such a high-stakes clash, trade analysts and fans were eager to see who would emerge victorious during the first crucial weekend.
The box office battle quickly turned into a hot topic across India and beyond. Social media played a huge role in shaping early perceptions, as fans passionately debated which movie would reign supreme. While Coolie initially seemed to dominate with stronger buzz, War 2 steadily found its ground, especially in the Hindi and Telugu circuits. Within just four days, the race grew tighter than expected, with fluctuations in daily earnings creating suspense over the eventual winner. In this detailed breakdown, we analyze how both films performed during their opening weekend, their collection figures across different regions, and what the future looks like for each blockbuster in the weeks ahead.
The Clash of Coolie vs War 2 on August 14
The Independence Day weekend of 2025 set the perfect stage for this colossal box office battle. Both Coolie, featuring Rajinikanth, and War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, carried sky-high expectations from audiences. Their simultaneous release was not just a commercial competition but also a symbolic one—pitting the South Indian superstar against Bollywood’s Greek God. With such contrasting cinematic flavors, the audience had plenty to look forward to.
Despite sharing the same release date, the films targeted different demographics. Coolie, directed with a mass-appeal South Indian flair, leaned heavily on Rajinikanth’s charisma and style. On the other hand, War 2, an action-packed Hindi franchise sequel, banked on Hrithik Roshan’s stardom and pan-India action thrills. The result was an intense battle where regional dominance and national appeal played crucial roles in shaping collections.
Coolie First Weekend Box Office Performance
According to early trade reports, Coolie stormed the box office with a spectacular opening day collection of ₹65 crores, fueled by Rajinikanth’s unbeatable fanbase in Tamil Nadu and other southern markets. The momentum continued into the second day, with collections of ₹54.75 crores, showcasing steady hold despite mixed reviews.
However, the third day saw a dip, with earnings sliding to ₹39.5 crores. This raised concerns among trade experts about the film’s sustainability. On the fourth day (Sunday), Coolie earned ₹35 crores, marking its lowest daily earning since release. Still, the overall four-day collection stood at an impressive ₹194.25 crores net in India, while worldwide numbers crossed the ₹350 crore mark.
A closer look reveals that Coolie’s strength lay in Tamil and Telugu-speaking regions, where Rajinikanth’s dominance remains unshakable. International markets also contributed significantly, proving that Rajinikanth’s stardom extends far beyond India.
War 2 First Weekend Box Office Performance
Unlike Coolie, War 2 had a relatively quieter start but gained momentum as the weekend progressed. The film opened with a solid ₹52 crores on Day 1, followed by a surge on Day 2 with ₹57.35 crores, its highest single-day collection. However, just like Coolie, the film also faced a decline on Day 3, bringing in ₹33.25 crores.
On Day 4, War 2 earned ₹31 crores, slightly behind Coolie’s fourth-day performance. After four days, its net domestic collection stood at ₹173.60 crores, which was lower than Coolie’s tally. On the global front, War 2 reached ₹250 crores worldwide, showing strong performance in Hindi-speaking regions and Telugu markets but lagging behind Coolie’s international pull.
War 2’s advantage lies in its pan-India franchise appeal, as it is a sequel to the blockbuster War (2019). The high-octane action sequences, Hrithik Roshan’s presence, and Yash Raj Films’ brand value ensured that audiences from metropolitan centers flocked to theaters. However, compared to Coolie, it lacked the same craze in South India.
Box Office Face-Off: Who is Leading?
The first weekend collections clearly show Coolie ahead of War 2. While Coolie managed ₹194.25 crores domestically and over ₹350 crores worldwide, War 2 lagged behind with ₹173.60 crores domestically and ₹250 crores globally.
Coolie’s lead can be attributed to Rajinikanth’s unparalleled dominance in South India and strong overseas collections. Meanwhile, War 2, despite being a solid performer in Hindi belts, could not match Coolie’s pan-Asian pull during the initial days.
That being said, the race is far from over. Industry experts believe that weekdays will play a crucial role in determining the long-term winner. Coolie’s downward trend in daily collections could open the door for War 2 to close the gap, especially in northern and western India where Hrithik Roshan has a loyal audience base.
What Lies Ahead for Coolie and War 2?
Both films entered the box office with mammoth budgets of ₹400 crores each, meaning that sustaining momentum in the coming weeks is critical for profitability. While Coolie has the upper hand after the first weekend, War 2 could bounce back during weekdays with stronger word-of-mouth among urban audiences.
Another factor is the oncoming festival releases. If new films hit the theaters in the upcoming weeks, both Coolie and War 2 may face stiff competition, putting pressure on their earnings. However, given the stature of these two blockbusters, they are expected to maintain dominance for at least two more weeks.
Conclusion
The Coolie vs War 2 clash is one of the most talked-about box office battles of recent years. After the first weekend, Coolie is clearly ahead, driven by Rajinikanth’s loyal fanbase, strong regional dominance, and impressive overseas collections. War 2, though slightly behind, is still a strong contender and could narrow the gap if it sustains well in weekdays.
In the end, both films have proven that Indian cinema thrives on diversity, with audiences equally embracing South Indian mass entertainers and Bollywood action blockbusters. Whether Coolie maintains its lead or War 2 stages a comeback, this clash will be remembered as a historic moment in the 2025 box office calendar.
FAQs
Q1. Which movie is leading after the first weekend, Coolie or War 2?
Coolie is leading with ₹194.25 crores in India and over ₹350 crores worldwide, while War 2 earned ₹173.60 crores domestically and ₹250 crores globally.
Q2. What was the budget of Coolie and War 2?
Both films were made on a massive budget of around ₹400 crores each.
Q3. How much did Coolie earn on its opening day?
Coolie opened with ₹65 crores on its first day.
Q4. Which regions contributed most to Coolie’s collections?
Coolie earned majorly from Tamil and Telugu markets, along with strong overseas contributions.
Q5. Can War 2 surpass Coolie in the coming weeks?
Yes, if War 2 sustains better during weekdays, it could narrow the gap, especially in Hindi-speaking regions.
