Like 'War 2', 'Coolie' has also crashed at the box office, but is it worse?

The long Independence Day weekend was expected to bring fireworks at the box office, but both Coolie and War 2 seem to have lost their spark after the initial burst. Rajinikanth’s Coolie drew a thunderous start on release day, while Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR’s War 2 came into the clash with equally high expectations. The early momentum, however, faded quicker than the trade anticipated.

By the first Monday, both films had slowed down considerably, showing how unpredictable audience choices can be despite hype, star power, and festival timing. Let’s break down the numbers and trends that shaped this clash.

The Opening Rush

Coolie began its journey with a record-breaking start for Rajinikanth, amassing a hefty opening tally across multiple languages. Tamil Nadu led the charge, confirming once again the superstar’s dominance in his home state. The first three days maintained respectable figures, but signs of fatigue began creeping in by Saturday evening. Sunday brought some steadiness, yet the trajectory was clearly pointing downward by the time the film entered the work week.

War 2 on the other hand came with the combined pull of Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani, backed by the YRF spy franchise. The film managed to pull viewers for the spectacle on day one but failed to sustain its momentum over the weekend. The sharp dip was even more noticeable here, given the scale of investment and the global positioning of the franchise.

The Monday Test

The real test for any big release comes on its first weekday, and both titles struggled. Coolie collected just over twelve crores on Monday, a drastic fall from its launch numbers. War 2 fared worse, barely crossing the eight crore mark across all languages on the same day. For projects of this magnitude, such figures indicate that the audience had largely made up its mind by then.

The Monday slump also highlighted a changing pattern in theatrical business. Viewers no longer stick around for word-of-mouth if the initial experience doesn’t meet expectations. The importance of sustained quality and replay value has become crucial, especially for high-budget entertainers.

Factors at Play

Several elements contributed to this slowdown. Firstly, both films received mixed responses from audiences and critics alike, creating confusion rather than building momentum. Secondly, the simultaneous clash meant the target audience was split, reducing the sustained traction each title could have enjoyed on its own.

Another factor often overlooked is external conditions. Reports suggest that heavy rainfall in some metro cities reduced footfall, particularly during the crucial weekend shows. Weather may not dictate long-term performance, but in a competitive box office scenario, even such disruptions can alter the equation.

Where the Films Stand Now

Despite the steep drop, Coolie has managed to cross the 200 crore mark already, cementing its place among Rajinikanth’s top-grossing openers. Yet, the decline in pace means the film will need extraordinary legs to continue beyond the festive frame. The Hindi version has remained stable in smaller numbers, proving that the release strategy paid off to an extent.

War 2, however, finds itself in a tougher spot. The spy franchise, touted as YRF’s crown jewel, has stumbled on what was meant to be its grand expansion. While the final tally is yet to unfold, the Monday crash has cast serious doubts on its ability to recover.

The Larger Takeaway

The twin struggles of Coolie and War 2 underline a broader truth: star power and franchise branding are no longer enough to guarantee box office dominance. Audiences are quick to judge, and weekend collections are no longer a reliable measure of long-term success. Consistency across weekdays is now the deciding factor for any big-ticket film.

The clash that once promised a box office carnival has instead become a cautionary tale for producers and distributors. Timing a release around festivals may offer an initial advantage, but without strong content and repeat value, the fall can be just as swift.