Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ Vs Hrithik Roshan’s ‘War 2’: Who’s Winning the Box Office Battle?

Rajinikanth and Hrithik Roshan clashed at the box office with their films Coolie and War 2, both released on August 14, 2025. As of Day 12, Rajinikanth’s Coolie is leading the race with ₹261.70 crore net earnings in India, while War 2 trails behind at ₹225.03 crore. Despite a recent drop in daily collections, Coolie continues to dominate the domestic market.

Why is Coolie Ahead of War 2 at the Indian Box Office?

Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, features Rajinikanth as a former union leader turned gangster seeking justice. The film also stars Aamir Khan, Pooja Hegde, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Shruti Haasan. Its wide appeal and powerful star cast helped it become the highest-grossing Tamil film globally by Day 4.

On Day 12, Coolie collected ₹3.25 crore net, still ahead of War 2, which earned ₹2.15 crore the same day. The film’s multilingual release and strong regional performance helped it gain the upper hand.

In contrast, War 2, a sequel to the 2019 action hit, features Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Major Kabir Dhaliwal. Co-starring Jr NTR and Kiara Advani, the YRF-backed film earned praise for its scale and visuals but hasn’t matched Coolie‘s numbers so far.

What Role Does Mahavatar Narsimha Play in This Box Office Scenario?

While Coolie and War 2 compete head-to-head, animated mythological drama Mahavatar Narsimha has carved out a surprising path. Directed by Ashwin Kumar and released on July 25, the film has earned ₹233.10 crore net in 32 days.

It is now the highest-grossing Indian animated film, produced by Hombale Films and Kleem Productions. Based on Lord Vishnu’s avatars, the film’s success signals strong audience interest in mythological content, even in animated form.

Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ vs Hrithik Roshan’s ‘War 2’ is shaping up as one of the biggest box office rivalries of the year. With Coolie maintaining a solid lead and Mahavatar Narsimha exceeding expectations, 2025 has proven to be a powerful year for Indian cinema.

For your information (FAQ Section):

Q1: Which film is leading the box office—Coolie or War 2?
Coolie is leading with ₹261.70 crore in India, while War 2 has earned ₹225.03 crore.

Q2: What is Coolie about?
Coolie is an action drama featuring Rajinikanth as a former labour union leader seeking revenge.

Q3: Who stars in War 2?
War 2 stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani in a high-stakes action thriller.

Q4: How much has Mahavatar Narsimha earned?
It has collected ₹233.10 crore net in India over 32 days, becoming the top-grossing Indian animated film.

Q5: What’s special about Coolie‘s global performance?
Coolie grossed over ₹404 crore worldwide by Day 4, becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film.