War 2 Scores Big on Independence Day, Crosses ₹100 Crore in Just Two Days Across All Languages
After opening to a mixed response on Thursday, War 2 finally found its momentum on Day 2, riding high on the Independence Day holiday wave. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, NTR Jr. and Kiara Advani, the action spectacle witnessed a sharp surge in collections, with audiences flocking to cinemas right from the morning shows. The festive spirit, coupled with the star power of its lead actors, pushed footfalls across the country, especially in the mass belts and Tier-2 and Tier-3 centres where single screens reported significantly stronger turnout compared to the opening day.
The Hindi version of the film posted a strong 43 crore approx. on Friday, This marks a growth of nearly 52% from its Day 1 numbers, taking the two-day Hindi total to an impressive 71 crore (Approx). While the jump was expected given the national holiday, it nevertheless provided the film with a much-needed boost after a start that was considered underwhelming for a project mounted on a massive 400 crore budget.
In the southern circuits, particularly the Nizam and Andhra regions, War 2 saw a very different trend. The presence of NTR Jr. ensured that the Telugu version dominated the market there, overshadowing the Hindi prints. On its opening day, the Telugu version contributed around 20 crore to the all-India tally, but as anticipated, this figure came down on Day 2, settling at approximately 10 crore. Even with this dip, the two-day combined total across all languages in India stands at just over 100 crore. A commendable figure, though still short of what industry had predicted for a film of this scale.
Despite the healthy Independence Day boost, the road ahead for War 2 is not without challenges. The Hindi version is tracking for a weekend total in the 130 crore range, which is respectable but falls short of blockbuster standards for such a high-profile release. Janmashtami on Saturday may help certain mass pockets maintain decent occupancy, but sustaining momentum after the festive weekend will be the key to determining its long-term box office prospects.
Looking at early trends, trade estimates suggest War 2 could end its domestic run with a net total between 220 crore and 250 crore across all languages, assuming weekday drops are controlled. Overseas performance so far has been lukewarm, with the film expected to close its extended global weekend, including premieres, at around USD 7.5 million. Hitting the USD 15 million mark in its full run will require strong holds in the coming weeks – something the film has yet to prove it can achieve.
For now, War 2 stands tall on the back of its Independence Day surge. The festive roar has given the film a lifeline, but whether this adrenaline rush can translate into genuine staying power will be the true test in the days ahead. If audiences continue to show up beyond the holiday buzz, Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr.’s high-octane actioner could still script a respectable success story. If not, it risks being remembered as a film that soared on Day 2, only to lose steam when the celebrations were over.
Stay tuned with Cineinfinity for more updates!!
