Coolie vs War 2 Box Office: Advance Booking Battle of the Year

This August 14, the Indian box office will witness one of the biggest cinematic clashes in recent years. On one side, we have Rajinikanth’s Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, a Tamil-language crime-action thriller. On the other side, there’s Hrithik Roshan’s War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, the high-octane sequel to the blockbuster War.

Both films are big-budget productions with massive star casts, and both are expected to pull in huge crowds. However, the advance booking numbers tell an interesting story — and it seems Rajinikanth’s Coolie is currently taking the lead.

The Big Clash on August 14

Releasing two mega films on the same day is always a high-stakes game. Independence Day week has often been a lucrative window for Bollywood and South Indian cinema alike. This time, audiences will have to choose between:

• Coolie – A Tamil crime-action thriller starring Rajinikanth, Shruti Haasan, Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, and even a cameo from Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan.
• War 2 – A Hindi spy-action thriller with Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir, joined by Kiara Advani, Jr. NTR, and a cameo from Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan.

With such powerhouse casts, both films are aiming for record-breaking openings. But who’s winning the advance booking race?

Advance Booking Numbers – Coolie Takes the Lead

As of the latest reports, Coolie has a strong advantage in pre-sales.

Coolie – Advance Booking Breakdown (India)

• Tamil version: ₹10 crore
• Telugu version: ₹4 lakh
• Kannada version: ₹1.5 lakh
• Hindi version: ₹40,000
• Block bookings: ₹6 crore

Total advance booking in India: ₹16.15 crore

This is a massive number for pre-sales, especially considering that these are only domestic figures. Coolie’s popularity in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is driving huge sales, with many shows already sold out.

War 2 – Advance Booking Breakdown (India)

According to Sacnilk data:

• Hindi version: ₹28 lakh
• Dubbed Tamil + Telugu versions: ₹1.3 lakh
• IMAX Hindi: ₹60,000
• Dubbed Telugu IMAX: ₹70,000

Total advance booking in India (with block bookings): ₹1.22 crore

Clearly, War 2’s advance sales are far behind Coolie at the moment. While Hrithik Roshan’s Hindi audience is strong, it seems the South Indian dominance of Rajinikanth is tipping the balance early on.

Why Coolie is Ahead

Several factors explain why Coolie is leading in advance bookings:

1. Rajinikanth’s Unmatched Fan Base
   In Tamil Nadu and parts of South India, Rajinikanth is not just a star — he’s a cultural phenomenon. Fans often treat his film releases like festivals, booking entire theatres in advance.

2. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Hot Streak
   Lokesh has delivered blockbusters like Vikram and Kaithi. His unique style of blending action with gripping storytelling has created a loyal fan following.

3. Regional Language Advantage
   Tamil cinema audiences are quick to support local content, especially when it features a legendary star. Coolie’s dominance in the Tamil language segment is giving it a big head start.

4. Buzz Around the Cameo
   Aamir Khan’s cameo appearance has sparked curiosity in the North as well, potentially boosting Hindi version bookings in the coming days.

Why War 2 Still Has a Chance

While Coolie is ahead for now, War 2 cannot be underestimated.

1. Spy Universe Factor
   War 2 is part of Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, which includes blockbusters like Pathaan and Tiger Zinda Hai. The interconnected storylines generate huge excitement.

2. Jr. NTR’s Pan-India Appeal
   With RRR’s massive success, Jr. NTR has become a national star. His presence may attract South Indian audiences who wouldn’t normally rush for a Hindi release.

3. Shah Rukh Khan’s Cameo
   Reports of SRK appearing as Pathaan in War 2 could create a last-minute surge in ticket sales.

4. Multiplex Chain Push
   Hindi multiplex chains are expected to ramp up promotions for War 2 in the days leading to release, possibly closing the booking gap.

The Films – What They’re About

Coolie

Produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, Coolie is an action-thriller set in a coastal port town. The story follows a mysterious man who stands up against a corrupt syndicate exploiting the port’s labourers (coolies).
The cast includes:

• Rajinikanth
• Nagarjuna
• Shruti Haasan
• Sathyaraj
• Soubin Shahir
• Upendra
• Special cameo by Aamir Khan
  Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, known for chart-topping numbers.

War 2

Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 continues the saga of Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) as he battles a new enemy. The film brings together:

• Hrithik Roshan
• Kiara Advani
• Jr. NTR
• Special cameo by Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan
  As a follow-up to the 2019 blockbuster War, this film promises even bigger action sequences, globetrotting locations, and high-tech spy gadgets.

Budget and Scale

Both films are massive in terms of production budget:

• Coolie – Estimated budget: ₹350–400 crore
• War 2 – Estimated budget: ₹300–350 crore

These budgets place both films in the mega-event cinema category, where worldwide box office collections are crucial to covering costs.

Box Office Predictions

Given the current trend:

• Coolie is expected to open strongly in South India and overseas Tamil markets, possibly earning ₹60–70 crore worldwide on Day 1.
• War 2 may open softer in the South but could dominate in Hindi-speaking regions, earning ₹35–40 crore on Day 1.

If Coolie crosses ₹100 crore worldwide on its first day (which is possible with strong overseas numbers), it could challenge all-time opening records for Tamil cinema.

Audience Divide

Interestingly, the two films cater to different core audiences:

• Coolie – Appeals heavily to Tamil-speaking and South Indian viewers, plus Rajinikanth’s global fan base.
• War 2 – Aims at Hindi-speaking audiences and urban multiplex-goers, with international spy-action appeal.

However, the overlap happens in the pan-India crossover audience — fans who love both South Indian mass cinema and Hindi action spectacles.

August 14 will be a historic day for Indian cinema. 

The Coolie vs War 2 clash is shaping up to be a festival at the box office. Rajinikanth’s Coolie currently has the edge in advance bookings, but War 2 could close the gap with last-minute Hindi belt momentum.

No matter which film comes out on top, one thing is certain — August 14 will be a historic day for Indian cinema. Two mega-budget films, two superstar-led stories, and millions of fans ready to celebrate in theatres — this is what box office magic is all about.