War 2 is the sixth installment of YRF’s Spy Universe. A sequel to Siddharth Anand’s War (2019), which raked in a massive worldwide box office collection of Rs 471 crore and held the record for the highest opening day at Rs 53.35 crore at the time, War 2 comes with towering expectations, not just from fans but also from the studio behind it.
Story continues below this ad
Also read | War 2 movie box office prediction day 1: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR’s actioner likely to open at Rs 20 crore
While the plot remains tightly under wraps, director Ayan Mukerji emphasised during the film’s grand pre-release event in Hyderabad that preserving the story’s secrecy was a deliberate creative decision. He said that there has been a conscious effort to keep the story under wraps in the teaser and trailer. Joining the event were stars Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, who shared heartfelt moments with each other and the audience.
Also Read | Coolie vs War 2 box office advance: Rajinkanth-starrer heading for a Rs 80 crore opening, Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR film’s overseas growth worrisome
Jr NTR, speaking on their camaraderie, said, “75 days of working with you have taught me so much. I can’t wait to get back with you on screen again. Thank you so much for treating me as a brother, for welcoming me with open arms. Sir, I come from South India, thanks to Rajamouli that who has erased a lot of boundaries between South and North with his films. Still, every South Indian will have a kind of small doubt about whether he will be accepted or not. Thank you for accepting me with wide arms and giving me that beautiful hug on the first day. I will never forget those moments with you for War 2. And when the film releases on the 14th of August, it is only going to thicken our bond more.”
He also responded to media chatter around comparisons with Hrithik in the song Janaab-e-Aali, where the two stars share the dance floor: “Such comparisons can mislead fans. I think two good dancers complemented each other – it wasn’t a face-off as it is being projected. I want you all to simply enjoy this foot-tapping chartbuster. Hrithik Roshan is one of the greatest dancers in the country.” Hrithik reciprocated the affection, speaking candidly about Jr NTR. He said, “Tarak, I have not just observed you, but I have learnt from you. I see a lot of myself in Tarak. We have had very similar journeys for 25 years now. He is extremely dedicated, has an amazing work ethic, and is a one-take, final-take star. He will not even check the shot because he knows he has given everything to it.”
Narratively, War 2 picks up after the events of Tiger 3, which starred Salman Khan. While Tiger 3 underperformed compared to expectations, Yash Raj Films appears to be banking heavily on War 2 to reignite the momentum of the Spy Universe.
Interestingly, both Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR are coming off lukewarm responses to their most recent films, Fighter and Devara Part 1, respectively, making War 2 a crucial project for their career trajectories as well. Director Ayan Mukerji, last known for Brahmastra Part One: Shiva, was in the middle of developing the sequels when, according to reports, YRF head Aditya Chopra offered him the director’s chair for War 2, a moment Mukerji later described on Instagram as one of great excitement.
Actress Kiara Advani, who recently became a mother, is also generating buzz for her appearance in the film, particularly for her first-ever bikini scene. The look was curated by renowned stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania, who shared her thoughts on the process: “This was my first time styling Kiara for a film, and the brief was hot. I’ve styled swimsuits for many films before, and I’ve always approached them with a more casual mindset. To me, the real vibe I wanted for her was how we are as women on a beach: happy, relaxed, totally ourselves in a bikini, without overthinking how small or big it is. That kind of ease is beautiful.”
The bikini sequence, combined with the much-anticipated first encounter between Hrithik and Jr NTR, has built considerable excitement around the film. However, advance bookings so far have been lukewarm. As of Wednesday morning, industry estimates suggest that War 2 is poised for an opening of Rs 18.37 crore in India, less than half of what the first installment achieved. Adding to the challenge is the strong competition from Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, which stars superstar Rajinikanth and features a special cameo by Aamir Khan.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that War 2 includes two post-credit scenes that could further expand the Spy Universe. Fans may even catch a glimpse of Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, who are set to headline the upcoming installment titled Alpha, slated for a Christmas release on December 25.
