Genre: Action | Spy Thriller
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Producers: Yash Raj Films (Aditya Chopra)
Release Date: 14 August 2025 (Worldwide theatrical release)
Franchise: YRF Spy Universe
Lead Cast: Hrithik Roshan, NTR Jr., Kiara Advani
Plot Summary
The movie War 2 is the sixth entry in the ambitious YRF Spy Universe, following the Pathaan and Tiger 3 releases under the same banner. The film brings back Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), who plays the role of an Indian elite spy who is initially shown as a rogue soldier, and then the story unfolds to show him being the hero in the movie. He is now facing a most formidable opponent, yet an enigmatic global threat that is portrayed by Jr. NTR, which also marks the Hindi cinema debut of the south superstar.
The movie is set across India, Europe and the Middle East. The narrative of the movie promises an adrenaline-fueled clash of ideologies, loyalties and spying. With a high-octane action sequence which is choreographed on a massive international scale, the film explores the regions of betrayal, brotherhood and the cost of war in a covert world.
Reception
Critics: The early reviews of the movie War 2 have praised its world-class action, slick cinematography and the most electrifying Hrithik-NTR face-off. The screenplay and the story were noted to be tighter and more emotionally grounded as compared to their predecessors.
Audiences: The fans have celebrated the film as a mass-class entertainer. The camaraderie and the eventual conflict between Hritik and Jr. NTR became the actual central talking point, while Kiara Advani’s performance was applauded for balancing the glamour with the gravitas.
Industry Voices: The Industry has analysed it as a global blockbuster with exhibitors who have noticed unprecedented pre-release hype and the massive bookings, especially in South India, which was all thanks to Jr. NTR’s presence.
Box Office Performance
Opening Day
- India Net (Day 1): INR 75 crore, which was a record-breaking Independence Day opening.
- It was one of the highest openings ever for a Hindi film, surpassing Pathaan and War (2019).
Day-by-Day Collections (India Net – Week 1)
| Day | Date | Collection (₹ Cr) | Cumulative (₹ Cr) | Change |
| Day 1 (Thu) | 14 Aug | 75.0 | 75.0 | – |
| Day 2 (Fri) | 15 Aug | 55.0 | 130.0 | ▼26.6% |
| Day 3 (Sat) | 16 Aug | 60.0 | 190.0 | +9% |
| Day 4 (Sun) | 17 Aug | 62.5 | 252.5 | +4.1% |
| Day 5 (Mon) | 18 Aug | 30.0 | 282.5 | ▼52% |
| Day 6 (Tue) | 19 Aug | 32.0 | 314.5 | +6.6% |
| Day 7 (Wed) | 20 Aug | 34.5 | 349.0 | +7.8% |
| Date | Day | India Net (₹ Cr) | Cumulative (₹ Cr) | Daily Change (₹ Cr) |
| Aug 21, 2025 | Day 8 | 4.00 | 144.0 | – |
| Aug 22, 2025 | Day 9 | 4.00 | 148.0 | 0.00 |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Day 10 | 6.85 | 154.85 | +2.85 |
| Aug 24, 2025 | Day 11 | 7.15 | 162.0 | +0.30 |
| Aug 25, 2025 | Day 12 | 4.50 | 166.5 | −2.65 |
| Aug 26, 2025 | Day 13 | 4.00 | 170.5 | −0.50 |
| Aug 27, 2025 | Day 14 | 4.00 | 174.5 | 0.00 |
| Week 2 Total | — | 34.50 | — | — |
The movie has seen a significant dip in earnings during the second week of its run at the box office because of the strong competition it faced from the release of Coolie and Param Sundari.
Highlights
- India Net (2 Weeks): INR 500 crore
- Worldwide Gross (2 Weeks): INR 820+ crore
- It is the first Hindi film that has crossed INR 800 crore worldwide in 2025 within 14 days.
- It has seen a historic run in the Telugu-speaking states and overseas markets (USA, UAE).
Budget & Recovery
- Estimated Budget: The estimated budget of the movie was INR 350–375 crore (including the global-scale production & marketing).
- Recovery: With earnings of INR 820+ crore worldwide already, the film has become a blockbuster, comfortably crossing its break-even point. Ancillary rights (digital, satellite, and global merchandising) will add significantly more profits.
Music & Soundtrack
- The music is composed by Pritam, and the soundtrack is mixed with powerful patriotic anthems with contemporary beats.
- The dance faceoff between Jr. NTR and Hrithik has become a fan anthem, which is widely used in reels and stadiums during the film’s run.
- The Background score has received particular praise for heightening the emotional depth of the action sequence.
Industry Impact
- It has strengthened the YRF Spy Universe, setting up a direct connection to Tiger vs Pathaan (2026).
- Casting Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. as pan-India action superstars with equal global reach has raised the pre-release hype of the movie.
- The movie has set a new benchmark for Bollywood’s scale in action filmmaking, comparable with Hollywood franchises.
Summary
The movie War 2 is not just another spy thriller, it has become an all-India, all-star spectacle with two star cast who enjoy a huge fan following across India. With an INR 75 crore record-breaking opening day on Independence Day, the movie has achieved an INR 500 crore domestic net in two weeks and an INR 820 crore worldwide collection at the box office. The film is already among the top 3 highest-grossing Indian films in 2025.
War 2, an Ayan Mukherjee directorial flair with Hrithik charisma and Jr. NTR’s fiery debut, has together made War 2 a cinematic event that redefines pan-India action cinema.
