Coolie vs War 2 Box Office Day 1 Collection : Rajinikanth Beats Hrithik Roshan & Jr NTR in a Massive Clash

 

The Indian box office witnessed one of the biggest cinematic clashes of 2025 on 14 August, when two high-profile films — Coolie starring Rajinikanth and War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR — released on the same day. Fans had been eagerly waiting for this showdown, and as expected, the opening day saw a battle for supremacy at cinema halls across the country.

While both films opened strong, Rajinikanth’s Coolie took the lead on Day 1, leaving War 2 slightly behind in early numbers. Let’s dive into the full details.

Day 1 Box Office Numbers

According to early estimates and trade reports, here is how the two films performed on their first Thursday:

Coolie – Day 1 India Net Collection: ₹49.57 crore

War 2 – Day 1 India Net Collection: ₹35.97 crore

In Hindi media reports, updated early evening figures showed Coolie reaching an even higher ₹55.36 crore gross in India by late night, while War 2 was at ₹41.78 crore gross. This suggests that as the day progressed, Coolie kept pulling ahead.

The Clash: Why It Was So Big

This was not an ordinary release clash — it brought together two huge fandoms and two different cinematic worlds:

1. Rajinikanth’s Coolie

   • Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, a filmmaker known for stylish action and gripping storytelling.
   • Rajinikanth plays Deva, a man seeking revenge for his friend’s death.
   • The film also stars Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra Rao, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj in key roles.
   • Genre: Action Drama with strong emotional undertones about friendship and loyalty.

2. War 2

• Directed under the YRF Spy Universe banner, following hits like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan.
• Stars Hrithik Roshan as Kabir and Jr NTR making his Bollywood debut.
• Also features Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, and Anil Kapoor.
• Genre: High-octane action spy thriller, filled with stunts, gadgets, and global missions.

Audience Excitement and Fan Reactions

Coolie Craze

• Rajinikanth fans turned the film’s release into a celebration, especially in South Indian states where early morning shows began as early as 4 AM.
• Social media was flooded with videos of fans dancing outside theatres, bursting crackers, and pouring milk on Rajinikanth’s cut-outs — a traditional way of showing devotion to the superstar.
• The presence of big stars like Aamir Khan and Nagarjuna added extra buzz, making it a pan-India attraction.

War 2 Fever

• Hrithik Roshan fans were equally excited, with the star’s Kabir character returning after five years.
• Jr NTR’s Bollywood debut brought in Telugu audiences in large numbers, and action lovers were drawn to the film’s large-scale sequences shot in multiple countries.
• The YRF Spy Universe branding gave it a ready-made audience, thanks to past successes.

Why Coolie Outperformed on Day 1

1. Rajinikanth’s Unmatched Star Power
   Even after decades in cinema, Rajinikanth remains one of India’s most bankable stars, especially for big festival releases. His ability to draw massive crowds, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, is unmatched.

2. Bigger Appeal in South Markets
   While War 2 dominated in some multiplex chains and North Indian metros, Coolie had a stronger pull in South Indian markets and even in tier-2 cities.

3. Family-Friendly Drama
   Coolie blends emotional storytelling with action, making it more appealing to family audiences compared to the intense, action-heavy War 2.

Box Office Collection Table (India Net)

Film	Day 1 Collection	Language Release
Coolie	₹49.57 crore	Multi-language
War 2	₹35.97 crore	Multi-language

Note: Gross collections later in the day were reported as ₹55.36 crore for Coolie and ₹41.78 crore for War 2, including all languages.

The Stories Behind the Films

Coolie – At its heart, Coolie is a story of friendship and revenge. Rajinikanth’s character Deva seeks justice for his friend’s mysterious death, uncovering a dangerous conspiracy. With emotional depth, mass action sequences, and star cameos, the film hits both the heart and adrenaline.

War 2 – A continuation of the War storyline, it expands the YRF Spy Universe. Kabir (Hrithik) joins forces — and sometimes clashes — with Jr NTR’s character to tackle a global threat. The film has high production value, globe-trotting visuals, and post-credit hints for future spy-universe films.

Trade Analysis: The Clash Impact

While both films were expected to have a blockbuster opening, releasing together inevitably split the audience. Trade experts note:

• Coolie benefited from massive South Indian occupancy rates.
• War 2 still opened strong, but its multiplex and urban dominance could not fully counter Coolie’s all-India draw.
• Overseas collections could swing more in War 2’s favor, given Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s global fanbase.

What Happens Next

For Coolie:
If the strong word-of-mouth from Rajinikanth fans continues, Coolie could dominate the long Independence Day weekend, especially in the South. Family audiences and repeat viewers could push it past ₹200 crore in India within the first week.

For War 2:
Despite coming second on Day 1, War 2 has strong legs in urban centres and the Hindi belt. The Independence Day holiday and weekend could see collections jump significantly. Plus, Spy Universe loyalists will likely keep the film steady for weeks.

Rajinikanth has Won the Day 1 Battle

The Coolie vs War 2 clash is proof that Indian cinema is big enough for multiple blockbusters to co-exist, even if they compete head-to-head. Both films brought unique flavours to the table — Coolie with its emotional action drama led by a living legend, and War 2 with its slick, high-tech spy thrills.

For now, Rajinikanth has won the Day 1 battle, but the war (pun intended) is far from over. The next few days will decide which film has the stronger box office staying power.