From child co-star to box office rival: Hrithik's note for mega star Rajinikanth as 'War 2' & 'Coolie' clash

The big Independence Day weekend is almost here, and the buzz around the War 2 vs Coolie box office clash is at an all-time high. Social media has been full of comparisons, predictions, and fan wars, but Hrithik Roshan has just shifted the conversation in a way nobody saw coming.

A day before the release of his much-anticipated War 2, Hrithik took to X to pen a touching note for none other than Rajinikanth, who is also set to dominate theatres with Coolie. The actor reminisced about his first steps in cinema alongside the legendary superstar in Bhagwaan Dada (1986), calling Rajini sir “an inspiration and a standard.” “You were one of my first teachers,” Hrithik wrote, celebrating the Thalaiva’s incredible 50-year journey in Indian cinema.

Along with his post, an old picture of a young Hrithik with Rajinikanth has also been making the rounds online, adding a nostalgic touch that fans can’t stop talking about. Many are calling Hrithik “the most secure actor” for choosing appreciation over competition. One fan summed it up perfectly: “Clash aside, Rajini sir will always be our teacher.”

As for the films themselves, both promise high-octane entertainment. War 2 brings Hrithik back as Major Kabir, teaming up with Jr. NTR and Kiara Advani under Ayan Mukerji’s direction. The film marks the sixth entry in YRF’s Spy Universe and will release in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil.

Meanwhile, Coolie offers Rajinikanth in a fierce new avatar, with intense action sequences and hard-hitting dialogues. Adding to the excitement, Nagarjuna takes on the role of the antagonist, and the film also marks the reunion of Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan after nearly three decades, with Aamir playing Dahaa. The film has been given an A (Adults Only) certificate, hinting at raw, unfiltered action.

Whether audiences choose Kabir’s slick spy action or the Thalaiva’s powerhouse drama, or both, remains to be seen. But with Hrithik’s warm message going viral, this clash now feels less like a rivalry and more like a celebration of cinema’s biggest icons sharing the spotlight.