Coolie vs War 2 box office collection till now: Rajinikanth film inches closer to Rs 200 crore, races ahead of Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR starrer

The Independence Day weekend turned into a blockbuster battleground as Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR starrer War 2 clashed at the cinemas. Both films leveraged the August 15 holiday to draw huge crowds, but Rajinikanth’s action entertainer is emerging as the clear frontrunner.

The box office clash arrived at a time when audiences were eager for big-screen spectacle. With two major stars leading massive productions, trade analysts had predicted a close contest. However, early trends from multiple regions indicate that Coolie has found stronger traction, especially in the South, where fan-driven openings often shape long-term success.

Coolie storms ahead with strong weekend

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and co-starring Nagarjuna Akkinni, Coolie has maintained strong momentum despite mixed reviews. With a 20-minute action-packed climax and Lokesh’s trademark thrills, the film is dominating the Tamil market.

The film’s appeal lies in its combination of high-energy action and Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life screen presence. Fans have praised the director’s handling of mass sequences, while the climactic stretch has emerged as a major talking point across social media. Even viewers who had reservations about the story have acknowledged the film’s entertainment value, which has helped sustain footfalls through the extended weekend.

According to early estimates by Sacnilk, Coolie earned Rs 35 crore on Day 4, taking its total India net collection to Rs 194.25 crore. The film has now come within touching distance of the Rs 200 crore milestone.

War 2 faces slowdown despite star power

On the other hand, Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, a big-ticket addition to YRF’s spy univeRs e, collected Rs 31 crore on Day 4. Its four-day India net now stands at Rs 173.60 crore. Despite a strong start, the film has shown sharper weekend drops compared to Coolie.

While War 2 opened well in metro cities and key multiplex chains, its pace has cooled faster than expected. Trade observers note that competition from Coolie and mixed audience reactions may have impacted repeat viewership. The film still commands attention due to its scale and action set pieces, but sustaining momentum will depend heavily on positive word-of-mouth in the coming weekdays.

While powered by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s star presence, the spy thriller has received criticism for not matching the impact of its predecessor.

Day-wise breakdown – Coolie vs War 2

Coolie

Day 1 (Aug 14): Rs 65 crore

Day 2 (Aug 15): Rs 54.75 crore

Day 3 (Aug 16): Rs 39.5 crore

Day 4 (Aug 17): Rs 35 crore (early estimates)

Total India Net: Rs 194.25 crore

War 2:

Day 1 (Aug 14): Rs 52 crore

Day 2 (Aug 15): Rs 57.35 crore

Day 3 (Aug 16): Rs 33.25 crore

Day 4 (Aug 17): Rs 31 crore (early estimates)

Total India Net: Rs 173.60 crore

Records and global box office

In a remarkable feat, Coolie crossed Rs 300 crore worldwide in just three days, breaking Vijay’s Leo record for the fastest Tamil film to achieve the milestone. Industry insideRs credit Rajinikanth’s unmatched charisma and dominance in the South Indian market as the driving force.

The overseas response has also strengthened Coolie’s position, with packed shows reported in key international markets. Analysts believe that strong diaspora support and consistent weekend turnout could push the film well beyond expectations if weekday drops remain controlled. Such performance further underlines the enduring global appeal of Rajinikanth’s films.

Meanwhile, War 2 is relying on word-of-mouth to stabilize collections. While it may see a second wind, trade experts suggest it will be difficult for the film to keep pace with Coolie’s box office juggernaut.

READ ALSO: Rajinikanth’s 'Coolie' becomes his 3rd biggest Hindi grosser in just 2 days

What’s next at the box office?

With Sunda evening and night collections yet to be counted, Coolie is almost certain to cross the Rs 200 crore India net mark before the weekend closes. If it continues its streak, it could even challenge Leo’s lifetime record of Rs 400 crore in India and Rs 605 crore globally.

War 2 still has a chance to recover ground, but for now, the Rajinikanth-starrer is firmly leading the Independence Day box office race.

The coming weekdays will be crucial for both releases. Coolie’s performance will determine whether it can maintain long-term dominance, while War 2 must hold screens and rebuild momentum through audience recommendations. For now, the holiday battle clearly belongs to Rajinikanth, whose star power once again proves decisive in a high-stakes box office showdown.

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