Mumbai, India – August 11, 2025 – The Indian film industry is gearing up for a massive box office clash this Independence Day weekend, as two cinematic giants, Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR’s War 2, prepare to compete on August 14. Early advance booking figures indicate that Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is leading pre-sales both domestically and internationally, outpacing the Yash Raj Films’ spy thriller War 2.
Industry tracker Sacnilk reports that Coolie has amassed an impressive Rs 14 crore in advance bookings in India, with Rs 10 crore from its Tamil version alone, reflecting Rajinikanth’s unmatched star power in the South. The Telugu and Kannada versions have also shown strong traction, contributing to the film’s robust domestic pre-sales. Internationally, Coolie is breaking records, grossing USD 1.7 million (approximately Rs 14 crore) in North America alone, with over 56,000 tickets sold for its premiere. The film’s global advance bookings have reached Rs 41 crore, surpassing the lifetime overseas earnings of Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life and approaching the all-time Tamil cinema benchmark of Rs 46 crore set by Thalapathy Vijay’s Leo.
In contrast, War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, has recorded a modest Rs 2.09 crore in advance sales in India. Overseas, the film has struggled to gain momentum, with North American pre-sales at USD 310,000, significantly trailing Coolie’s figures. While War 2 benefits from the YRF Spy Universe’s brand legacy and Jr NTR’s rising popularity post-RRR, its advance bookings suggest it has ground to cover to challenge Coolie’s lead.
Analysts attribute Coolie’s early dominance to Rajinikanth’s enduring appeal and the film’s strong pre-release buzz, bolstered by a star-studded cast including Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and an extended cameo by Aamir Khan. The gritty gangster saga has resonated strongly with audiences in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, while its international performance underscores Rajinikanth’s global fanbase. Meanwhile, War 2 is expected to gain traction in the Hindi and Telugu markets, with bookings set to open fully in India on August 10. The film’s high-octane narrative, featuring Hrithik Roshan as Agent Vikram and Jr NTR as a rogue operative, is banking on last-minute sales and the Spy Universe’s established fanbase to close the gap.
Trade experts predict Coolie could achieve a worldwide opening day collection of Rs 80 crore, driven by its overseas while War 2’s performance may hinge on its domestic pull, particularly in the Hindi belt. With both films backed by major studios—Sun Pictures for Coolie and Yash Raj Films for War 2—the August 14 showdown is poised to be a landmark event in Indian cinema, potentially reshaping box office dynamics.
As the release date nears, the industry watches closely to see if War 2 can mount a comeback or if Rajinikanth’s Coolie will maintain its lead in this high-stakes cinematic battle.
