War 2 was expected to be the biggest blockbuster of 2025, bringing together action, masala and two of the biggest names in Indian cinema. As the sequel to a superhit, it generated massive early excitement and high box office expectations.
Initial predictions suggested a bumper opening of ₹50–60 crore on day one, but the outlook has now cooled. Estimates place Hindi collections at ₹28–32 crore nett, possibly ₹35 crore if reviews are strong. All versions together could touch ₹50–55 crore nett, with a ₹90–100 crore global gross.
Even these numbers are below earlier forecasts. As of yesterday, only 78,000 tickets were sold in advance. With a single day left before release, trade experts note the gap from the 3 lakh tickets expected at PVR Inox and Cinepolis.
Industry watchers point to Tiger 3’s poor performance as a major reason. Post-pandemic, audience tastes have shifted and YRF’s Spyverse has taken a hit. The hype Shah Rukh Khan built with Pathaan was undone when Tiger 3 underperformed.
War 2 now risks the same setback. The trailer and teaser failed to meet the extraordinary expectations set by the first film. Fans hoped for more impact, but the promotional material did not create the intended buzz.
At this stage, strong word of mouth may be the film’s only lifeline. Whether War 2 suffers Tiger 3’s fate or manages to turn the tide will be clear after its release.
