Indian cinema is set to witness one of the most anticipated box office battles of the year as War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, goes head-to-head with Coolie, featuring Rajinikanth. Both films, backed by massive budgets, star-studded casts, and renowned directors—Ayan Mukerji for War 2 and Lokesh Kanagaraj for Coolie—are poised to dominate theatres during the Independence Day weekend.  Here's a breakdown of their opening predictions based on current buzz, advance bookings, and regional strengths.

Regional Dominance

• Coolie: Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie is expected to dominate South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, where Rajinikanth’s mass appeal remains unmatched. The film’s Telugu version is also generating significant hype, fueled by Nagarjuna’s presence and Rajinikanth’s established fanbase in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (AP/TS). 
• War 2: As a part of Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe, War 2 is set to take the lead in North India and Telugu states, driven by Hrithik Roshan’s star power and Jr. NTR’s massive following post-RRR. The franchise’s established popularity and the promise of stylish action sequences are likely to draw crowds in urban centers and multiplexes. Bollywood trade expectations around War 2 were pegged at Day 1 collections of over ₹60 crore. However, considering the current scenario, CineInfinity predicts the movie's day1 biz to be around ₹40 crore. This revised prediction takes into account the stiff competition from Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, which boasts an Aamir Khan cameo and is expected to secure around 2,000 screens in the Hindi belt.

Overseas Pre-Sales and Global Appeal 

• Coolie: The film is currently leading in overseas markets, particularly in North America, where it has crossed $1.25M in premiere pre-sales, making it the fastest Tamil film to reach the $1M mark. With over 35,000 tickets sold in the U.S. alone, Coolie is also showing strong momentum in Gulf countries, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK, where it has sold over 20,000 tickets. The global Tamil diaspora and Rajinikanth’s universal appeal, combined with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s directorial credibility, are driving this surge.  
• War 2: While War 2 is trailing in overseas pre-sales, with North American premieres at around $300,000, its appeal in Hindi-speaking and Telugu diaspora markets is expected to grow as the release date nears. 

Opening Predictions  

• Coolie:
   - India Gross: ₹70–75 cr
   - WW Gross:  ₹135-140cr
   - Key Markets: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telugu states, and overseas (North America, Gulf, UK, Malaysia).
• War 2:
   - India Gross: ₹75-80 crore gross
   - WW Gross: ₹105–110 cr
   - Key Markets: North India, Telugu states, and select overseas markets (Hindi and Telugu diaspora).

Stay tuned to CineInfinity for more updates!