The stage is set for one of the most electrifying showdowns in Indian cinema this Independence Day weekend, as two major blockbusters—Rajinikanth’s Coolie and the high-octane spy thriller War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR—prepare to battle it out at the box office. With both films slated to release on August 14, 2025, anticipation is at a fever pitch, and advance booking numbers are already hinting at a fierce contest that could reshape records and redefine star power in the industry.
Coolie, helmed by acclaimed director Lokesh Kanagaraj and featuring a star-studded cast that includes Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, and Aamir Khan, has kicked off its pre-release campaign with a bang. According to Hindustan Times, the film’s advance bookings in overseas markets have been nothing short of phenomenal. In the United States alone, pre-sales for Coolie have soared past $2 million (approximately Rs 17 crore) as of August 9, 2025, with additional strong momentum reported in the Gulf countries, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK. The film’s global advance booking has already crossed $4 million, and industry insiders suggest it could break the all-time overseas advance booking record for a Tamil film—currently held by Vijay’s Leo at Rs 66 crore (roughly $8 million).
Back home, Coolie is making waves in the southern markets. Kerala leads the domestic advance booking charts with Rs 96.5 lakh in confirmed ticket sales, and when including blocked seats, the total rises to an impressive Rs 3.06 crore. Tamil Nadu, a traditional stronghold for Rajinikanth, follows close behind with Rs 83.98 lakh in confirmed sales and Rs 2.01 crore including blocked seats. As of August 9, 2025, the film had amassed an estimated Rs 1.81 crore in ticket sales across India, with total collections (including blocked seats) reaching Rs 5.09 crore. According to data from Sacnilk reported by Times of India, the demand for tickets is so intense that sales could cross the 100,000 tickets per hour mark as the release date draws closer.
But the competition is not backing down. War 2, the latest installment in the YRF Spy Universe and directed by Ayan Mukerji, brings together the formidable duo of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, supported by Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, and Anil Kapoor. The film, set to release in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, has already opened pre-sales in overseas markets. In North America, it has collected $310,000 six days before release, with $232,000 coming from the Telugu version and $78,000 from the Hindi version. While these numbers are promising, they still fall short of Coolie’s overseas figures—at least for now.
Advance booking for War 2 in India is set to open on Sunday, August 10, 2025, just four days before its release. Some theaters may even start sales a day earlier, giving eager fans a head start. The film’s performance in the Telugu market is expected to be particularly strong, thanks in large part to Jr NTR’s soaring popularity following the blockbuster success of RRR. As Hindustan Times notes, while Coolie boasts the star power of Nagarjuna in a supporting role, Jr NTR’s lead status in War 2 is likely to give the film a significant edge in the region.
Industry analysts are already calling this the biggest box office clash of the year. According to Times of India, Coolie is expected to dominate the Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka markets, leveraging Rajinikanth’s enduring appeal at age 73 and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s directorial prowess. Meanwhile, War 2 is poised to make waves in the Hindi-speaking belt and the Telugu states, where its combination of legacy, franchise power, and star wattage could translate into robust ticket sales.
The numbers so far suggest a clear early lead for Coolie. By Saturday afternoon, August 9, 2025, the film had already sold over one lakh tickets worth more than Rs 2 crore in India, with advance bookings just beginning in key southern states. Overseas, the film’s pre-release momentum is unprecedented, and if the trend holds, Coolie could set a new benchmark for Tamil cinema’s global box office performance. On the other hand, War 2 is expected to pick up pace once domestic bookings open, especially as the YRF brand and the legacy of the original War draw in fans across the country.
The stakes are high for both films. For Rajinikanth, Coolie represents another opportunity to reinforce his status as the reigning superstar of Tamil cinema, while also showcasing the collaborative might of southern cinema’s biggest names. For Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, War 2 is a chance to cement their positions in the pan-Indian market, riding on the success of the YRF Spy Universe and the growing appetite for high-octane action thrillers.
Yet, the outcome of this box office battle remains uncertain. As Times of India observes, “The two films are set for a high-stakes box office battle that could boost both their collections or could even affect their performances.” With both movies releasing on a national holiday weekend, and with such massive pre-release buzz, it’s anyone’s guess which will emerge as the ultimate winner—or whether the clash will simply lift the fortunes of both, as fans flock to theaters in record numbers.
Adding to the intrigue is the strategic timing of the releases. Independence Day weekend has historically been a lucrative period for Bollywood and regional films alike, drawing audiences eager for big-screen spectacle and star-driven entertainment. This year, the stakes are even higher, with the clash between Coolie and War 2 serving as a litmus test for the evolving dynamics of Indian cinema—where regional superstars, pan-India releases, and global audiences increasingly shape the narrative.
For now, all eyes are on the final countdown. As fans debate which film to watch first and theaters brace for unprecedented demand, one thing is clear: the Independence Day weekend of 2025 is set to go down in history as a turning point for the Indian box office. Whether Coolie rides its early momentum to a record-breaking debut or War 2 surges ahead with last-minute bookings, the real winner may be the audience—treated to a cinematic spectacle unlike any other in recent memory.
With both films boasting stellar casts, visionary directors, and the backing of major studios, this is one battle that promises to keep fans—and box office analysts—on the edge of their seats until the very last ticket is sold.