The numbers are out, and they’re not what fans or trade experts were expecting. War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, was supposed to be 2025’s biggest blockbuster. Instead, it has turned into one of the year’s most shocking underperformers. On its sixth day at the Indian box office, the film showed some signs of stability—thanks to Discount Tuesday—but the bigger picture remains grim.
So, what exactly went wrong with this highly anticipated spy actioner? And can the slight bump on Tuesday change the film’s overall fate? Let’s dig in.
A Bump on Discount Tuesday – But Is It Enough?
After a poor Monday, War 2 managed to gross Rs 10.50 crore on Tuesday in India. On paper, that’s not a number to celebrate. But considering the film had already shown steep drops in the previous days, the Tuesday figure came as a small relief. The boost was largely due to Discount Tuesday offers, where reduced ticket prices across multiplex chains gave the film a much-needed push.
Here’s how the first six days of collections look:
Day-wise India Gross:
- Thursday: Rs 59 crore
- Friday: Rs 67 crore
- Saturday: Rs 38 crore
- Sunday: Rs 36 crore
- Monday: Rs 9.50 crore
- Tuesday: Rs 10.50 crore
Total after 6 days: Rs 220 crore gross
While Rs 220 crore sounds impressive at first glance, the truth is, a film of this scale—with Hrithik Roshan leading the YRF Spy Universe and Jr NTR making his big Bollywood entry—was expected to touch these numbers within its opening weekend. The fact that it took six days to reach this point shows how underwhelming the response has been.
Expectations vs Reality – Why War 2 Became a Shock
When War 2 was announced, the hype was massive. The first War (2019) was a record-breaking success, and with Ayan Mukerji directing, fans were expecting a stylish, larger-than-life spy thriller that would set the box office on fire. Add to that the casting coup of Jr NTR alongside Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani, and the film had everything going for it—on paper.
But the reality has been different. The film opened well on its first two days, but by the weekend, cracks had already started to show. Audience feedback was mixed, with many praising the scale and action sequences but pointing out weaknesses in the story and pacing. Word of mouth wasn’t strong enough to sustain the film, and by Monday, the collections had dropped drastically.
Now, trade experts are calling War 2 the biggest shocker of 2025—a film that was supposed to be a money-spinner but is instead staring at losses.
What This Means for Producers and Stars
One of the most surprising aspects of War 2’s performance is that it might actually lose money—a rare outcome in today’s industry where non-theatrical revenues (like digital and satellite rights) usually cover costs. According to reports, the film’s budget and backend deals were structured with high box office returns in mind. With the theatrical numbers falling short, producers YRF and distributors—especially in Andhra Pradesh—are expected to face losses.
Even the talent involved isn’t spared. Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR reportedly had semi-backend profit-sharing deals. But since there are no surplus profits, they won’t be getting their additional remuneration. For a film of this scale, that’s a massive blow.
Can War 2 Recover in Week 2?
Looking ahead, War 2 has an open second week with no major competition at the box office. In theory, that gives it room to recover. But given the current trend, the film is unlikely to capitalize on the empty slate. Even if it holds steady at low levels, trade experts don’t see the film crossing Rs 300 crore gross in India.
Overseas collections are slowing down as well, which further limits the lifetime potential. As of now, the best-case scenario for War 2 looks like a worldwide total of Rs 350–375 crore gross—far below what was expected.
For context, the first War grossed over Rs 475 crore worldwide back in 2019. With inflation, higher ticket prices, and a bigger star cast this time, War 2 was supposed to blow past that benchmark. Instead, it’s struggling to even come close.
The Takeaway
War 2 was designed to be an event film—something that would unite audiences, set cash registers ringing, and strengthen the YRF Spy Universe. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of big-budget cinema.
Yes, the Tuesday bump provided a small ray of hope, but it doesn’t change the overall picture. The audience today is unforgiving, and no amount of star power or scale can guarantee success if the content doesn’t fully click.
For fans of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, the film still offers high-octane action and stylish visuals. But from a box office perspective, War 2 will go down as one of 2025’s biggest disappointments.
