Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2 Struggles After Strong Start

War 2 Box Office Day 8 Early Estimates

Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR starrer War 2 has officially concluded its first week. Unfortunately, not on the note all of us imagined. The YRF spy thriller managed to beat every single Bollywood film of 2025 but failed to clock the #1 spot by beating Chhaava. Scroll below for the day 8 early trends!

According to estimates, War 2 managed to accumulate only 5-5.50 crores in all languages. Despite little competition from Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha, Ayan Mukerji’s directorial is constantly slipping its momentum. It enjoyed an 8-day extended weekend as the release was planned a day ahead of Independence Day.

Compared to 6.34 crores on Wednesday, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR starrer faced another 13-21% dip on day 8. The overall net collection in India will wrap up in the range of 209.59-210.09 crores. The upcoming weekend is the last hope for the War sequel.

Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown

Here’s a day-wise revised box office breakdown of War 2 (all languages):

Day 1: 52.5 crores

Day 2: 58.85 crores

Day 3: 34.25 crores

Day 4: 33.65 crores

Day 5: 9.25 crores

Day 6: 9.75 crores

Day 7: 6.34 crores

Day 8: 5-5.50 crores (estimates)

Total: 209.59-210.09 crores

War 2 Fails to Beat Chhaava

Hrithik Roshan, Kiara Advani and Jr NTR starrer is only the second Bollywood film of 2025 to clock the 200 crore club in its opening week. However, the expectations were much higher. While it managed to beat Saiyaara and other releases, it stayed way behind Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava.

Here are the top 3 opening week collections of 2025 in Bollywood:

Chhaava: 225.28 crores

War 2: 209.59-210.09 crores (estimates)

Saiyaara: 175.25 crores

Housefull 5 (133.58 crores) is now out of the top 3.

The YRF Spy Universe Pressure

The film had tremendous expectations riding on it, not just because it is a sequel to the blockbuster War (2019), but also because it represents the fifth installment in the ambitious YRF Spy Universe. The franchise has previously delivered massive hits like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan. Naturally, War 2 was positioned as a crucial film to strengthen the universe and keep audience interest intact.

With a budget of 325 crores, expectations were always high. Crossing the 200-crore mark in its opening week is no small feat, but in comparison to the hype and marketing build-up, many trade experts believe the film is underperforming.

Star Power and Performances

Despite the mixed box office trends, audiences have praised the on-screen chemistry and rivalry between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. Their action sequences and larger-than-life presence were the film’s strongest highlights. Kiara Advani’s addition to the franchise also added freshness, while veteran actors like Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor gave the film additional gravitas.

Performances aside, critics point out that the screenplay struggles with pacing, especially in the second half. While the first War was celebrated for its sharp storytelling and shocking twists, the sequel has leaned heavily on spectacle, which might not be enough to sustain long-term numbers.

Competition at the Box Office

The timing of War 2’s release also plays a significant role. With Chhaava still performing strongly and Saiyaara showing surprising resilience even in its later weeks, the spy thriller found itself competing for audience attention. In addition, regional films and Hollywood releases have divided footfalls in multiplexes, making it harder for a single film to dominate.

The next weekend will be crucial in determining whether War 2 can stabilize or continue to decline. Word-of-mouth and repeat viewership will play a key role in pushing its collections further.

The Road Ahead

Even if War 2 doesn’t surpass Chhaava, it has already cemented its place as one of the highest-grossing films of 2025 so far. For the YRF Spy Universe, the challenge will be to ensure upcoming projects like Tiger vs Pathaan maintain audience excitement.

Trade analysts believe that while War 2 might not be a record-shattering success, its strong performances, action choreography, and global appeal will allow it to recover a good portion of its budget through overseas collections and digital rights.

Conclusion

War 2 may not have achieved the historic milestone many expected, but it still stands as a powerful box office contender. The film proves once again that big-budget action spectacles have an undeniable draw in Bollywood, even if competition and expectations weigh heavily. Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s presence alone has ensured massive interest, and while Chhaava remains at the top, War 2 is far from being written off.

The ensemble cast features Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor. It is the fifth installment in the YRF universe and the sequel to War (2019). It is mounted on a staggering budget of 325 crores.