The Independence Day weekend is shaping up to be one of the biggest box office clashes of the year, with two massive films Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan’s War 2 hitting theatres on the same day. But as far as day one advance booking numbers go, it is clear that Coolie has already taken a strong lead.
According to early box office tracking, Coolie has pulled in nearly 40 crore rupees in advance bookings for its opening day alone, leaving War 2 behind with 22.78 crore rupees. That is a lead of more than 10 crore rupees even before the first show has rolled. The Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial has sold over 13 lakh tickets for day one and is receiving massive support across markets, especially in Maharashtra and Delhi-NCR.
The Star Power Factor
Coolie brings together Rajinikanth’s unmatched screen presence with an ensemble cast including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, and Aamir Khan. With a gripping storyline and Rajinikanth’s gangster persona, the film has generated sky-high anticipation. In Maharashtra alone, it has already raked in more than 70 lakh rupees in advance sales, while Hindi belt audiences are gearing up to catch it in dubbed versions.
On the other hand, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, is no small contender. With its slick action sequences, high-voltage patriotism, and a follow-up to the blockbuster War, it has already pulled strong numbers in Gujarat and Mumbai. The film has collected over 60 lakh rupees from Gujarat audiences alone and is expected to open to packed houses across the Hindi-speaking belt.
The Bigger Picture
Globally, Coolie is also making waves, with its worldwide advance bookings crossing the 80 crore mark. These figures have silenced doubts about whether the film could match the performance of recent blockbusters. Meanwhile, War 2 is aiming for sustained performance through strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership once it releases.
With both films catering to different audience bases and offering contrasting flavours Rajinikanth’s massy, myth-infused action drama versus Hrithik and Jr NTR’s high-octane spy thriller this box office battle is set to be a treat for cinema lovers. The real question is not whether either film will succeed, but just how high they can push the numbers during this extended holiday frame.
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