The stage is heating up for one of the most anticipated box office battles in recent Indian cinema history, as Rajinikanth’s Coolie locks horns with Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR’s War 2 this August. And if early numbers are anything to go by, the Thalaivar storm has already begun sweeping the overseas market.
With 20 days still to go before its premiere, Coolie has stormed the U.S. advance booking charts, grossing $291,400 (~₹2.5 crore) from 181 locations and 438 premiere shows, with over 10,000 tickets already sold. The Telugu dubbed version has also joined the fray, adding over $40,000 in early sales — signaling a full-blown pan-Indian frenzy that’s only gaining momentum.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for hits like Vikram and Leo, Coolie marks his first-ever collaboration with superstar Rajinikanth. The film features a powerhouse ensemble with Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Upendra Rao, Sathyaraj, and Soubin Shahir, making it one of the most ambitious multi-starrer projects in recent memory.
The buzz is only set to intensify further with the trailer launch expected in the coming days — a move that analysts believe could trigger a massive second wave of advance bookings, possibly positioning Coolie as the highest-grossing Tamil opener in U.S. history.
But the Competition is Fierce: Enter War 2
While Coolie rides a wave of momentum, it won’t be an easy ride. Releasing on the same weekend is YRF’s War 2, the next installment in the blockbuster YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani, combining pan-India star power with an already-established franchise that smashed records in 2019.
Both films are gearing up for simultaneous multi-language releases, with Coolie aiming for the mass action-entertainment crown and War 2 bringing slick espionage thrills backed by a massive production scale. It’s a clash of styles, stars, and cinematic universes, and the audience is the biggest winner.
What’s at Stake?
With two massive tentpole films releasing together, the Indian box office — both domestic and overseas — is set for a seismic shake-up. Exhibitors are already preparing for record footfalls, and fans are gearing up for a festival-like atmosphere.
Will Coolie maintain its lead and dominate with the Thalaivar magic, or will War 2 power through with its spy-universe appeal and pan-India force? One thing is certain: this clash will define the box office narrative for the rest of 2025.
