War 2 is already confirmed to face a nationwide clash with Coolie, but the action-thriller now has another hurdle in West Bengal. The Bengali romantic action-thriller Dhumketu, starring Dev and Subhashree Ganguly, is set to release on August 14, 2025, after being stuck in production for nearly nine years. Surprisingly, despite its long delay, the film has sold around 18,000 tickets in advance, indicating strong audience interest.
A source revealed that the advance numbers have even surprised the makers, with most Kolkata shows steadily filling up and several nearing sold-out status. In comparison, War 2 has managed to sell only 5,000 tickets as of August 11, 2025. Although Yash Raj Films aimed for maximum showcasing across single screens and multiplexes in the Hindi belt, they have made an exception for West Bengal, where competition is tighter.
Some theatres in Kolkata have allotted more shows to War 2 than Dhumketu, but a few others have also secured slots for the Hindi version of Coolie. This scenario may create further hurdles for War 2 in recording strong collections in the region. Adding to the challenge, Dhumketu marks Dev and Subhashree’s reunion after Khoka 420, which is building excitement among local audiences.
The advance bookings for War 2 have not met the high expectations of the trade, even though analysts have predicted an opening of Rs. 55–60 crores. With competition heating up in Kolkata, there is now concern that the film’s actual numbers might fall short. The final outcome will be clear once audiences make their choice at the box office.
