War 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit War, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, initially impressed with a thunderous start at the box office. However, the film experienced a sharp decline by the end of its first weekend, raising questions about its long-term prospects.
Box Office Performance: A Roller Coaster Ride
The action-packed film, part of the YRF Spy Universe, opened with an impressive ₹52.5 crore on day one, further building on its momentum with ₹57.35 crore on Friday. However, by Saturday, the numbers slipped to ₹33.25 crore, and Sunday saw an even steeper drop, bringing in an estimated ₹31 crore. This marks its lowest collection since its release on August 14, signaling a slowdown in its box-office performance.
In comparison, the original War (2019) had brought in ₹37.5 crore on its first Sunday, which was higher than the sequel, even though the first film had a mid-week release. The rapid decline in War 2’s earnings has left many wondering if it can recover or if it will fail to meet its high expectations.
Occupancy and Regional Breakdown
On Day 4, War 2 recorded a mixed response in terms of occupancy. The Hindi 2D version had an occupancy rate of 27.85%, which reflects the film’s overall drop in interest. However, Tamil screenings were stronger, with a 42.96% occupancy rate, while Telugu shows performed better than the Hindi version at 30.12%.
By Saturday, the film had already crossed ₹215 crore globally, with ₹142.6 crore net from India alone. The Hindi version contributed ₹99.5 crore, while Tamil and Telugu versions earned ₹90 lakh and ₹42.2 crore, respectively. Overseas collections added around ₹45 crore to the film’s global tally.
Critical Reception: Mixed Reviews for War 2
Despite its star power and high-budget action sequences, the critical response to War 2 has been largely unfavorable. Taran Adarsh, a prominent trade analyst, gave the film a mere 1.5 stars, citing a weak script and poor writing. He called it the “weakest film in the YRF Spy Universe,” despite the presence of superstars like Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
News18 rated the film 2.5/5 stars, praising its action sequences but criticizing its pacing and excessive flashbacks that diluted the tension. The film’s length (2 hours 50 minutes) also became a point of contention, as it reportedly struggled to maintain its edge-of-the-seat thrills.
The Road Ahead for War 2
With War 2 already crossing ₹200 crore globally, the big question is whether it can recover from its early dip and reach the benchmarks set by its predecessor. As of now, the film’s box office performance remains uncertain, and its critical reception suggests that it may struggle to replicate the massive success of War (2019).
