War 2 box office collection: Will Ganesh Chaturthi holiday help Hrithik Roshan’s film close the gap with Rajinikanth’s Coolie?

Two titans locked horns at the box office, Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR’s War 2. Both films are running strong, but as numbers roll in, Coolie seems to be marching slightly ahead.

Released on 14 August 2025, War 2 carried huge expectations. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film brought Hrithik Roshan back as Kabir, with Jr NTR and Kiara Advani joining the franchise. In just 11 days, the film has made Rs 221 crore in India. Most of that came from the first three days, Rs 143 crore, before the weekday slowdown kicked in.

By the second Sunday, the action thriller added Rs 6.50 crore (early estimates). Friday had dipped to Rs 4 crore, Saturday bounced back to Rs 6.25 crore, and Sunday held steady.

How is Coolie shaping up in comparison?

Rajinikanth’s Coolie has turned out to be a tough opponent. While War 2 is steady, Coolie has pulled ahead, collecting Rs 256.75 crore by its second weekend.

Unlike War 2, which depends heavily on the Hindi belt, Coolie has stayed strong across states. Tamil Nadu and Telugu-speaking regions are powering its numbers. The second Sunday alone added more than Rs 10 crore, widening the gap.

Would War 2 have earned more without competition?

Trade experts say yes. If War 2 had been released solo, its collections might have been 15–20% higher. The Hindi market has kept it afloat, but down South, Rajinikanth’s charisma is dominating screens.

This clash has split audiences right through the middle, multiplexes in metros are leaning towards War 2, while mass centres and southern states are largely Coolie territory.

When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2025?

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Tuesday, 26th August 2025, and will end on Wednesday, 27th August.

What is the timing of Chaturthi in 2025?

The Chaturthi Tithi starts at 1:54 pm on August 26 and runs till 3:44 pm on August 27. The mid-week holiday period usually boosts cinema turnout, as families step out for leisure after puja celebrations.

Will War 2 benefit from the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday?

Absolutely, yes! Festival holidays have always pushed big films higher. World War 2 could benefit in Mumbai, Pune, and other strongholds in Maharashtra, where Ganeshotsav is celebrated with grandeur.

What about coolie?

But Coolie isn’t far behind. With its strong grip in Tamil Nadu and Telugu belts, the Rajinikanth starrer could ride the same festive wave. Analysts believe War 2 might narrow the gap, but Coolie is still in the driver’s seat.

The clash between Hrithik-Jr NTR’s War 2 and Rajinikanth’s Coolie is far from done. With Ganesh Chaturthi around the corner, the box office could witness a fresh twist—cinema’s titans battling under the watchful eyes of Lord Ganesha.