War 2 Movie Review, Rating & Release Day Updates: Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR Actioner Faces Mixed Response
Mumbai, August 14 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — After months of anticipation, War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, has finally hit theatres today. The sixth instalment in YRF’s Spy Universe stars Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, marking the latter’s Hindi cinema debut.
The action thriller is already generating heated discussions online, with early reviews split between praise for its scale and criticism for its predictability.
Box Office Clash: War 2 vs Coolie
On release day, War 2 is facing tough competition from Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which has dominated advance bookings.
- War 2: ₹20.57 crore in advance bookings for Day 1
- Coolie: ₹37.2 crore in advance bookings for Day 1
While War 2’s numbers are strong, they are notably lower than Rajinikanth’s film, setting the stage for a fierce box office battle over the Independence Day weekend.
Early Reviews: From ‘Biggest Actioner’ to ‘Glossy Snooze-Fest’
Audience feedback remains sharply divided. Some viewers are calling it the biggest action spectacle of the year, while others are underwhelmed.
Film critic Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the movie 1.5 stars, writing:
“The task, to keep us glued to the screen, which is the solo ask of a fast-paced actioner, turns out to be not just difficult, but impossible. I’m sorry to report that War 2, the sixth instalment of the YRF Spy Universe, is nothing but a glossy snooze-fest.”
What the Film Is About (Without Spoilers)
A sequel to Siddharth Anand’s War (2019) — which earned ₹471 crore worldwide and once held the record for the biggest Bollywood opening — War 2 continues the narrative after the events of Tiger 3.
Director Ayan Mukerji kept the plot under wraps during promotions, saying the secrecy was a deliberate creative choice. Even teasers and trailers revealed minimal storyline details.
Jr NTR’s Bollywood Debut & On-Set Bonding
For Jr NTR, War 2 is more than just a debut in Hindi cinema — it’s a symbolic bridge between South and North Indian film industries. Speaking at the pre-release event in Hyderabad, the actor shared an emotional message for Hrithik Roshan:
“75 days of working with you have taught me so much… Thank you for accepting me with wide arms and giving me that beautiful hug on the first day. I will never forget those moments. When the film releases on the 14th of August, it is only going to thicken our bond more.”
He also credited filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli for erasing cultural boundaries between regions with his blockbuster films.
Spy Universe Stakes
With Tiger 3 underperforming relative to expectations, Yash Raj Films is banking on War 2 to reignite momentum for the Spy Universe, which also includes Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, Pathaan, and War.
The success or failure of War 2 could determine how the studio approaches future crossovers in its expanding espionage franchise.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
War 2 has arrived amid towering expectations, a star-studded cast, and stiff box office competition. While its scale and action are winning praise from some quarters, early mixed reviews suggest that audience word-of-mouth will be crucial in determining its long-term performance.
The film’s Independence Day weekend numbers will be a true test of whether Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s pan-India pairing can match — or surpass — the hype.