Coolie vs War 2 Box Office Collection Day 15: Rajinikanth And Hrithik Roshan's Films See Major Fall

After completing 15 days at the box office, Coolie and War 2 couldn't cross the Rs 300 crore mark, set by Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara. Both the films, led by superstars, missed the mark to impress the audience and the box office as well.

What's Happening

• At the end of week 2, Coolie stands at Rs 270.85 crore, with Rs 1.75 crore alone from second Thursday collection.
• On the other hand, War 2 minted Rs 231.25 crore, with a Thursday contrbution of Rs 1.50 crore to the total.
• In week one, Coolie minted Rs Rs 229.75 crore at the domestic box office.
• On the other hand, the collection of War 2 became somewhat a bit stagnant. On second Wednesday, the film minted Rs 2.50 crore, taking the total to Rs 229.75 crore.
• In week one, the film minted Rs 204.25 crore at the domestic box office.
• So, significantly, Coolie earned more in its second week than War 2.

About Coolie And War 2

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie marks Rajinikanth's 171st film. The movie also features Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir and Sathyaraj in key roles. Aamir Khan will make a cameo appearance in the film. Coolie is produced by Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures.

War 2 marks the first collaboration between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. The film also features Kiara Advani in a key role. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 is the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster of the same name. The action thriller is part of YRF's spy thriller universe and is produced by the studio.

Despite strong buzz and anticipation, both films appear to have underperformed when compared to industry expectations. Coolie, headlined by a superstar like Rajinikanth, carried immense fan pressure, especially in South India, where the actor enjoys legendary status. Similarly, War 2, which was supposed to build on the success of War, didn’t sustain momentum beyond its initial week. This has led trade analysts to speculate whether audience fatigue with formula-driven big-budget films is starting to take effect.

The rise of Saiyaara in comparison has also been a point of discussion. Featuring relatively newer stars like Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film broke the Rs 300 crore barrier within the same period. The fresh pairing, combined with strong storytelling, seems to have resonated more with younger audiences, marking a shift in what appeals to the box office in 2025. Saiyaara’s success has now raised the bar for star-driven projects.

Coolie’s performance still remains notable, especially considering its second-week hold. The Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial has continued to draw families and Rajinikanth’s core fan base. The inclusion of a strong supporting cast, including Nagarjuna and Shruti Haasan, has also widened its reach beyond Tamil-speaking regions. The cameo by Aamir Khan, though brief, has generated curiosity and pulled in audiences who may not have otherwise flocked to theaters.

War 2, however, seems to be struggling with mixed word-of-mouth. While the action set pieces and Hrithik Roshan’s charisma continue to be praised, critics have pointed out that the film’s narrative is not as engaging as its predecessor. The collaboration between Hrithik and Jr NTR was heavily marketed, but audiences feel the script didn’t make full use of their chemistry. This mismatch between expectations and delivery could be the primary reason for the film’s slower growth after its opening week.

Trade experts believe both Coolie and War 2 still have time to recover some of their investments through international markets and digital rights. Coolie, in particular, has done well overseas, where Rajinikanth commands a strong fan following in the USA, Malaysia, and the Middle East. War 2 is expected to gain traction in Telugu-speaking regions due to Jr NTR’s presence, though it has yet to match the kind of international reception its makers might have envisioned.

Another important factor impacting box office performance is competition. With multiple big releases crowding the calendar, audiences now have more choices than ever. Saiyaara’s dominance has clearly overshadowed both Coolie and War 2, and smaller yet impactful films in the same window have also drawn away attention. This competitive market has made it harder for even star-studded films to sustain longer runs.

Looking ahead, both films are expected to maintain a steady, if not spectacular, presence at the box office. Industry insiders are closely watching their third-weekend collections to assess their long-term performance. Whether they can come close to Saiyaara’s benchmark or remain significantly behind will determine how these films are remembered in the 2025 box office race.