Showing posts with label War 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War 2. Show all posts
With Arijit Singh, it’s only about the art, not about the clothes you wear-Nikhita Gandhi
10:16 AM
Torna Chakraborty (BOMBAY TIMES; April 11, 2026)
Nikhita Gandhi, who recently enjoyed an afternoon hike around Rabindra Sarobar with us over a chilled bhaanr of lassi, also wanted to spend some time with the friendly strays in the lake’s vicinity. But every single one of them seemed to be cooling off in some shaded corner, away from the scorching sun. We too settled down in a cool, breezy spot to have a candid chat about her three dogs and the unconditional love they offer every day, and why she feels that adopting Indies is important.
‘Please rescue and adopt, preferably Indies’
Nikhita revealed that her journey as a pet parent began with a rescue dog, who she co-parented with friends in Mumbai. For someone constantly on the move, the Qafirana singer admits that being a pet parent comes with its own challenges.
“It’s a huge responsibility. I practically live in airports, but I make sure there are people to take care of them at home. We make sure that they’re never alone,” she says, adding, “Spending time with them feels therapeutic, especially when you have a bad day. They can sense it. There’s so much love in the house because of them.”
A strong advocate for adoption, she hates the bias against Indies. “All three of my dogs are Indies. Please rescue and adopt them. I believe in giving them a home. They bring immense love, comfort, and healing that changes your life,” she adds.
‘Kolkata will always mould me as an artist’
Nikhita calls herself a Benjabi (Bengali + Punjabi) and swears by how the city continues to play an important role in her journey.
“Kolkata is an artistic city. There’s an ease here, a cultural acceptance of the arts that allows you to dream freely. That will always mould the artist I continuously evolve into,” she said.
From learning Odissi as a child to training in Hindustani classical music, her foundation is unmistakably rooted in the city. The singer never misses her bhar-er chaa, even though she is a coffee person, the city somehow manages to break that habit. Growing up in Lake Gardens, her ritual was to take a stroll by the lake. She also acknowledged the strong presence of Bengalis in the music industry and said she never felt disconnected from the city.
“I have bumped into so many Bengalis in the music industry. We have been singing and dancing since childhood. So it’s a very natural course to enter the arts and to enter the music industry.”
‘With Arijit, it’s always about the art’
Nikhita’s latest track with Arijit Singh is trending, and that too after he decided to step away from playback singing.
Speaking about her association with the singer, she says, “My first song with Arijit was Raabta from Agent Vinod, and since then, we’ve been part of so many popular tracks such as Ullu Ka Pattha from Jagga Jasoos, Aavan Jaavan from War 2, and more. With him, it’s only about the art – not about the clothes you wear, or your branding – just the art. It’s a very beautiful thing for me – that I get to be a part of his legacy, and that he’s such an important part of mine.”
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I feel the bias against Indie dogs is akin to racism. It’s like you’re discriminating against our own breed of dogs
Dhurandhar: The Revenge sets record for highest advance at national chains in 2025-26
10:36 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has already set a record for the highest advance at the national chains over the last year or so. This is just five days of advance and its not even a full day and there six more days of advances to go. The collections at these national chains stand at a phenomenal 10.50 crore nett and for the record a historic blockbuster like PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE had managed 14.50 crore nett for its first day which should be covered sometime over the weekend. The best over the last year was CHHAAVA at 2.25 lakh tickets and that is the only film getting over 2 lakhs.
The last part of DHURANDHAR got to 1.77 lakhs but that has to be taken with a pinch of salt as there was plenty of feeding and the figures of BAAGHI 4 are also manipulated to an even higher degree than DHURANDHAR.
The pace of advances even in these chains is slowing but that is basically as they don't really have anywhere there to go as where there is less sensitivity to price, the tickets are practically gone. Now, its about the other places and here the public here is waiting for the plans to open in full and the lower pricing though it will still be higher than any film has seen in the past.
The advances for national chains over the last year are as follows.
1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - 2,29,00,000
2. Chhaava - 2,25,00,000
3. Saiyaara - 1,95,00,000
4. Dhurandhar - 1,77,00,000
5. Baaghi 4 - 1,56,00,000
6. War 2 - 1,53,00,000
7. Sikandar - 1,45,00,000
8. Border 2 - 1,42,00,000
9. Housefull 5 - 96,00,000
10. Raid 2 - 93,00,000
Dhurandhar 2 pre-sales soar: Can Bollywood’s sequel curse be broken?
9:51 AM
The film to release in India on 5,000-5,500 screens, could earn up to Rs. 80 cr on opening day
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; March 9, 2026)
Mumbai: After a string of underwhelming Bollywood sequels — War 2, Dhadak 2, Mastiii 4, Jolly LLB 3 and De De Pyaar De 2 — the industry is watching whether Dhurandhar 2 can buck the trend. Exhibitors and distributors are citing strong early demand that suggests the film could break the jinx at a time when Bollywood is grappling with box office volatility and old formulas that are no longer working.
According to film trade analysts, the film will release in India on 5,000–5,500 screens and is likely to record Rs 75-80 crore in collections on opening day, March 19.
Audience appetite has been whetted by the blockbuster success of espionage actioner Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt and others. Released in 2025, Dhurandhar is one of the biggest films ever, having grossed Rs. 1005.8 crore in India alone and close to Rs. 300 crore in the overseas markets, according to box office data research firm Sacnilk.
In overseas markets, the sequel has generated advance or pre-release ticket sales worth $800,000.
“This is not an ordinary sequel. Audiences have already bought tickets worth more than Rs 5 crore for preview shows (March 18) alone,” said Shaaminder Malik, a film distributor and trade analyst. “They don’t want to know spoilers before their theatre experience. Tickets are being sold in a premium price range of Rs 300 to Rs 2,500 for a four-hour film. This shows the audience’s eagerness.”
Experts said Dhurandhar 2 is a proper tentpole release expected to drive significant box-office momentum.
“It is already reflected in its ticket sales,” said Gautam Dutta, CEO, revenue and operations, PVR Inox. “It will be the biggest release in terms of screens in India. In fact, a comforting factor is that the film has at least two weeks with no major release, which means the scope for record collections is high.”
Optimism about Dhurandhar 2’s performance increased recently with the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups being delayed--it was to have debuted on the same day.
“The postponement of Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups has effectively cleared the competitive landscape for Dhurandhar 2,” said Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director, Karmic Films. “When two highly awaited big films don’t clash, exhibitors typically allocate 40–50% more premium screens and show slots to the releasing film, which can materially strengthen its opening-day collection. In theatrical economics, clashes create headlines, but clear release windows create box office records.”
Dhurandhar 2 will be dubbed in all four southern languages, unlike the original, which was released only in Hindi.
“The sequel is dubbed in multiple southern languages, which broadens its reach in the southern territories, thereby significantly boosting its India collections by at least 25–30%,” said producer Rajesh R Nair. Screen density, especially single-screen halls, and overall screen share (over 50%) in the southern markets is higher than in the rest of India.
Conservative estimates by trade analysts suggest the film could record an opening weekend collection of Rs 250-300 crore.
“In the absence of competition, I think the film’s collections could easily be boosted by at least 25%,” said Girish Johar, film producer and industry expert. “Given the high audience interest, I foresee an opening weekend collection of Rs 300 crore for the film.”
Major film distributors squeeze rivals in fight for box-office gold
8:02 AM
Big players seen using unjust tactics to deprive smaller peers of shows in single-screen theatres, multiplexes, say experts
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 28, 2025)
At a time when box office performance has become increasingly hard to predict, the battle over pre-theatrical releases in the Hindi film industry has intensified, as major distributors use unfair tactics to limit smaller rivals from securing enough shows in single-screen theatres and multiplexes, trade analysts, producers and independent distributors told ET.
In recent months, reports of tussles over screen and show allocations have surfaced among distributors of major releases such as Coolie and War 2; Kantara: A Legend Chapter – 1 and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari; and Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.
“Sharing of screens and shows on the release day between distributors of competing films has been a long-standing issue. However, of late, it has become too aggressive and ruthless. Today, big and established distributors make almost every possible effort to deprive relatively smaller distributors of competing films from getting a fair number of shows and screens,” said Rajesh R Nair, producer of Hindi films such as Kaminey and Adipurush.
One of the unfair tactics major distributors have reportedly used is threatening single-screen owners and key multiplexes to withhold their films, both current and upcoming, if they allocate shows to competing titles backed by smaller distributors.
“In recent months, industry insiders have shared that big distributors have been threatening single-screen theatre owners and multiplexes that they would not supply them current and future inventory of films if they allocate shows to distributors of competing films,” said film distributor and trade analyst Shaaminder Malik.
Big distributors, with their strong reputations and deep pockets, have the advantage of backing a steady pipeline of theatre-worthy films. These strengths give them an edge over mid- and small-sized distributors when negotiating the number of screens and shows with single-screen owners and multiplexes.
Industry estimates show India has more than 9,900 screens, 55-57% of which are single screens.
“Big distributors have been even stipulating the number of shows their films must get on the release date to theatre owners. All this is at the expense of competing films of relatively smaller distributors,” said Malik.
Industry observers said such tactics by major distributors reflect growing nervousness about how their films will be received.
“Each story is different and appeals to a different audience, so in a sense it’s not a competition. Unjust tactics by big distributors to thwart relatively smaller distributors of competing films from getting sufficient screens and shows on the release day reflects their lack of confidence in the films they are backing,” said Bibhabari Rath Assudani, founder, Motion Mind Ventures, a company that helps filmmakers in critical stages of film-making such as financing and distribution.
Experts, however, pointed out that such tactics offer no long-term advantage, as exhibitors typically adjust show schedules after the opening weekend in favour of films that draw stronger audience interest.
“Ultimately, these tactics of big distributors are short-term strategies. After the opening weekend, only the film which has received high audience preference wins irrespective of the fact whether it is backed by a big or small distributor. Exhibitors promptly change the programming of shows in favour of films preferred by audiences given the capital-intensive nature of the business,” explained producer Rajesh R Nair.
Agreeing with Nair, Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder & Director, Karmic Films shared, “Multiplexes are far more data-driven now. By Sunday of an opening weekend of releases, show allocations automatically tilt toward the film that holds occupancy and momentum. In that sense, market correction plays a critical role in which film will get more shows after the opening weekend of releases.”
It was fun but too easy, writes Hrithik Roshan on War 2
10:41 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (October 5, 2025)
After months of silence on the underwhelming box office showing of War 2, Hrithik Roshan has finally spoken up. The actor, who reprised his role as Kabir in the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, shared a series of pictures from the shoot on Instagram, along with a candid note.
“Playing Kabir was so much fun. So relaxed, knew him so well. It was going to be easy. Finally a movie I could do like so many others do, keep it simple, play the actor, do your job and come home. And it was exactly that. I was taken care of so well by my director Ayaan. It was such a pleasure to have his energy on set. Everything seemed so perfect. Like it’s meant to be. A sure shot. No worries, just needed to do my job right. Which of course I did,” the 51-year-old wrote in the caption.
Though he did not comment on the film’s reception, Hrithik turned reflective in the latter half of the note. He added, “But something was lurking behind that presumptuous certainty. A voice that I kept shutting out. This is too easy... I know this too well. And another that said I deserve it, every film doesn’t have to be a torture and trauma and an incessant search for the truth of the moment. Relax.”
War 2, an installment in the YRF SpyVerse, was directed by Ayan Mukerji and also starred Kiara Advani, NTR Jr, and Anil Kapoor. On the professional front, Hrithik has Krrish 4 lined up next, which will see him donning the director’s hat.
Franchise flicks lose their shine as big bucks bounce back small
10:23 AM
High budget film series and sequels are struggling to generate buzz and recover costs
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 3, 2025)
Mumbai: Franchise films and sequels, once billed as sure-shot insurance against fickle audiences and shrinking theatre turnouts, are increasingly backfiring in India, with many high-budget releases struggling to generate buzz and failing to recover their massive investments.
In the first nine months of 2025, at least 10 big-ticket franchise films and sequels hit theatres, but most stumbled at the box office.
Among the biggest disappointments were Jolly LLB 3, Baaghi 4, War 2, Dhadak 2, Son Of Sardaar 2 and Housefull 5. War 2, a part of Yash Raj Films' ambitious Spy Universe, managed collections of just Rs 236.55 crore in India against a production budget estimated between Rs 300-400 crore, according to box office tracker Sacnilk.
Industry experts say the problem is that Bollywood builds its franchises as forced extensions rather than carefully thought-out universes.
"Hindi franchise films are not planned organically like Cinematic Universe films in the West. These films are made as an 'afterthought'," said scriptwriter Sudeep Nigam, known for the mini-series The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth. Nigam gave an example of the recent horror films. "I don't understand the connection between Shaitaan (2024) and Maa (2025). Shaitaan is a film about black magic. And Maa is a demon in a forest. Can these films belong to a universe because they share a theme?" he explained.
In the West, franchise films are planned well in advance and connected through consistent characters and narratives.
For instance, Marvel Studios planned for two years before it released its first Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man in 2008. To date, the studio has released 33 films with careful planning in terms of budgets ($130-300 million range) and timeline (in six phases).
Lack of connection in stories between the original and the sequel has also added to the failure, especially of recent sequels and franchise extensions.
"Sequels must have plots which take stories of original films ahead. But this is not observed in recent sequels. These films are made just to cash in on the brand value built by original films. It is just weak writing," said Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
In this context, scriptwriter Nigam cited an example of the Jolly LLB film series.
"The first two Jolly LLB films worked. Then, the idea of bringing together both heroes in a film sounded viable to its makers. But did the makers have a proper plot to justify their presence and create a proper franchise film?" Nigam explained.
After the pandemic, the box office outcome of films across geographies has become more unpredictable than in the pre-pandemic period, as films are either accepted wholeheartedly or shunned completely.
The days are gone when a film would do average business and break even. In this context, large production houses have been focusing on franchise films or sequels as they have an established audience base.
"As regards franchise films, there is too much reliance on the 'stardom' of stars rather than creating 'characters' which utilize their stardom, talent and add emotional depth to these films. Today, the story is a film's star, which makers are not fully recognizing yet," said Varun Kapoor, producer and founder of Brooken Reels Production, a film production company.
Trade analysts pointed out the poor performance of War 2 to its makers' excessive focus on the stardom of the film's stars. They noted that in the past six months at least fifty new franchise films and sequels have been announced in the industry. A few of these are Border 2, No Entry 2 and Awarapan 2.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 896
7:33 AM
WAR 2 CRASHES; COOLIE UNDERPERFORMS IN HINDI
The last two Independence Day weeks, in 2023 and 2024, were terrific and generated a lot of moolah at the box office. This year, however, hasn't been disappointing for the Hindi markets. This is particularly due to War 2's performance at the ticket window.
War 2 was expected to open at Rs. 35 crores; even this was an underwhelming number. Sadly, War 2's opening was just Rs. 28 crores. On top of it, the word of mouth was poor. But the jump on Independence Day gave hope. This is when the film earned Rs. 45 crores. But on Saturday and Sunday, it dropped to Rs. 26 crores and Rs. 26.75 crores, respectively.
The hope was that War 2 would collect around Rs. 13-14 crores on Monday, that is 50% of its Thursday and Sunday collections. However, War 2 crashed on Monday; it earned just Rs. 6.75 crores. The five day earnings stand at Rs. 132.50 crores. The film will hopefully collect Rs. 150 crores by the end of the first week and around Rs. 175-180 crores in its lifetime. For a film with a budget of Rs. 200-250 crores plus, these numbers are shocking.
Coolie, meanwhile, collected Rs. 4.25 crores in the Hindi version on the release day. The growth was modest on the second day (Rs. 6 crores), while on Saturday and Sunday, it was as much as on Thursday.
Coolie also dropped on Monday, collecting Rs. 1.25 crores. It is expected to collect around Rs. 25 crores by the end of Week 1. The lifetime will be around Rs. 32-33 crores. The Tamil version has also underperformed as the word of mouth was not mixed.
No major film is scheduled on Friday, August 22. As a result, both films will continue to get some collections. From August 29, their shows will be drastically reduced.
(Crisp) Movie Review: WAR 2 by FENIL SETA
2:20 PM
War 2's idea must have sounded interesting on paper but it comes at a time when there’s probably fatigue for such slick spy films. On top of it, in terms of script and direction, it is nowhere close to War, Ek Tha Tiger, Pathaan, Tiger Zinda Hai or even Tiger 3. The first half manages to hold interest with the interval block turning out to be unexpected. But the film goes downhill in the second half. The goings on get silly and also, the villain track is bizarre. Even the romantic angle doesn’t work. Both Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR constantly try to rise above the substandard script and deliver a fine performance. Kiara Advani looks stunning and does great in action scenes. Anil Kapoor is okay and is let down by the writing. Ashutosh Rana, K C Shankar (Gautam Gulati) and Varun Badola (Vilas Sarang) are decent. All in all, War 2 is the weakest film of the YRF Spy Universe.
My rating - ** out of 5!Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 895
11:18 AM
COUNTRY GEARS UP FOR WAR 2 VS COOLIE
Tomorrow, two of the biggest films of the year, War 2 and Coolie, will be released and the excitement for both is significant. War 2 belongs to the popular Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe and stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani. The makers haven’t given out the story and at a recent promotional event, both the male actors assured that the real plot of the film will surprise the audience. From the assets, it looks like a big-scale action entertainer. Interestingly, it is directed by Ayan Mukerji and there’s curiosity to know how he has helmed a film of this sort.
However, the excitement is limited. The trailer and teaser didn’t work as intended. Many feel that there has been a fatigue with such slick action films and that it looks repetitive. The songs haven’t become chartbusters. As a result, the advance booking has been just okay.
War’s first part, which released in 2019, opened at Rs. 50.61 crores. It is unlikely that War 2 can reach this mark on its first day. It is expected to open around Rs. 35 crores with an outside chance of the film hitting Rs. 40 crores. If the reports are positive, the next day will be huge due to the Independence Day holiday. This is when War 2 can collect not just Rs. 50 crore plus but even cross the Rs. 60 crore mark. A four-day weekend in the range of Rs. 150 crores and Rs. 200 crores will be ideal. However, if word of mouth is not encouraging, it can prove detrimental.
Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead role with Aamir Khan in a cameo. It is all set for a record opening in the original Tamil version, especially in the home market of Tamil Nadu and overseas. Not much was expected from its Hindi version. But it will be a surprise, looking at the advance booking. Despite opposition from War 2, it has managed to secure good showcasing as it became clear that there’s a demand to see the film.
Coolie in Hindi will open at Rs. 4 crores and can go upto Rs. 5-5.50 crores. If reports are on its side, it can have an extended weekend of Rs. 25 crores plus.
Tomorrow, two of the biggest films of the year, War 2 and Coolie, will be released and the excitement for both is significant. War 2 belongs to the popular Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe and stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani. The makers haven’t given out the story and at a recent promotional event, both the male actors assured that the real plot of the film will surprise the audience. From the assets, it looks like a big-scale action entertainer. Interestingly, it is directed by Ayan Mukerji and there’s curiosity to know how he has helmed a film of this sort.
However, the excitement is limited. The trailer and teaser didn’t work as intended. Many feel that there has been a fatigue with such slick action films and that it looks repetitive. The songs haven’t become chartbusters. As a result, the advance booking has been just okay.
War’s first part, which released in 2019, opened at Rs. 50.61 crores. It is unlikely that War 2 can reach this mark on its first day. It is expected to open around Rs. 35 crores with an outside chance of the film hitting Rs. 40 crores. If the reports are positive, the next day will be huge due to the Independence Day holiday. This is when War 2 can collect not just Rs. 50 crore plus but even cross the Rs. 60 crore mark. A four-day weekend in the range of Rs. 150 crores and Rs. 200 crores will be ideal. However, if word of mouth is not encouraging, it can prove detrimental.
Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead role with Aamir Khan in a cameo. It is all set for a record opening in the original Tamil version, especially in the home market of Tamil Nadu and overseas. Not much was expected from its Hindi version. But it will be a surprise, looking at the advance booking. Despite opposition from War 2, it has managed to secure good showcasing as it became clear that there’s a demand to see the film.
Coolie in Hindi will open at Rs. 4 crores and can go upto Rs. 5-5.50 crores. If reports are on its side, it can have an extended weekend of Rs. 25 crores plus.
13 minutes edited from Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2 for a 'shorter, sharper, and sleeker' film
8:06 AM
Makers trim Hrithik Roshan-starrer ‘War 2’ for a cinematic punch, after CBFC certification, they chop out a 13-minute long chunk out of the film and resubmit it
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 8, 2025)
Gone are the days when moviegoers could sit through three-hour films in theatres. So, the makers of War 2 — featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR — internally decided to re-edit the film. Despite receiving official clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on August 6, the film will be resubmitted for clearance with a runtime 170 minutes, down from the original 183 minutes.
“There has been a significant 13-minute reduction. A longer, raw cut was submitted to ensure that the film reaches international territories in a timely fashion, while the VFX work was still being finalised. The shorter theatrical cut is now much more aligned with the makers’ original vision,” shares a source, adding that the team didn’t want to compromise on the pace of the Ayan Mukerji-directed film, especially in the second half.
“To deliver a tighter, more gripping film, it was internally decided that they would edit the film further and resubmit.”
Sources also inform that the makers will submit the post-credit scene separately for certification this week. Rumours are rife that the post-credit scene will star Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Sharvari, among others.
Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR are mirror images of each other in War 2-Shridhar Raghavan
10:24 AM
Writer Shridhar Raghavan shares that the India first oath in the trailer of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR-led ‘War 2’ will be used across films in the YRF spy universe
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 28, 2025)
Before giving us glimpses of chase sequences, aerial stunts, and action set-pieces, the trailer of War 2 opens with something unexpected. In the first 80 seconds of the two-minute-plus trailer, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s characters are heard pledging to serve the country above all else. It turns out producer Aditya Chopra and director Ayan Mukerji decided to incorporate this oath, a feature that will now be extended to all the films in the YRF Spy Universe.
In the August 14 release that also stars Kiara Advani, Roshan reprises his role of R&AW agent-gone-rogue Kabir Dhaliwal from War (2019), and Jr NTR is seen as part of the same intelligence agency. A source reveals that the two characters take this oath, as trainee agents, at a swearing-in ceremony.
“Adi and Ayan wanted a motto that would not only form the foundation for Hrithik and Jr NTR’s characters, but would also tie the other characters of the spy universe together. So, Adi and writer Shridhar Raghavan penned this shapath. Henceforth, all undercover agents — from Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan to Salman Khan’s Tiger — will be seen taking the same oath,” says the source.
Raghavan, the head writer of the franchise and screenplay writer of Pathaan (2023) and Tiger 3 (2023), confirms the development. To him, the pledge, India first, sums up the ethos of each spy in the banner’s fictional world. “India first was always their driving force. From now, it will be the war cry of every agent in this spy universe,” he shares.
The oath had another purpose in War 2, he reveals. “Adi was clear that he did not want a single plot point to be given out in the trailer. So, we created a fictional oath that the agents take during their induction into the deadly covert task forces. It mirrors the film’s dramatic story. Hrithik and Jr NTR are mirror images of each other, both bound by the call of duty to protect India — then why are they battling each other? The idea was to play on the intrigue.”
Big-budget releases set stage for showdown at box office
10:12 AM
Hindi–South face-offs to test recovery; Southern films may cut Bollywood earnings by 10–15%
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; July 28, 2025)
Mumbai: A clash for box office share between big-budget Hindi and southern films in the next few months will put the theatrical revival of Bollywood to the test, say producers and trade analysts.
Three big southern films - Coolie (Tamil), Kantara: Chapter 1 (Kannada) and The Raja Saab (Telugu)-are scheduled for release in the second half of 2025. Their release dates clash directly with Bollywood movies War 2, Ikkis, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and Dhurandhar.
With each of these films having an estimated budget of Rs. 150-400 crore, the stakes are high.
The second half of 2025 began on a promising note for Bollywood with the unexpected success of the mid-budget Saiyaara, which has raked in Rs. 175 crore in box-office collections since its July 18 release. But the market dynamics will be different for the upcoming releases. This is the first time since the pandemic when the release dates of big southern films are clashing with Hindi films of similar scale.
"Post-pandemic, the lines between regional and Hindi films have blurred," said producer and film business expert Girish Johar. "Today, audiences want the best content. So, if there is a formidable southern film aimed at a pan-India audience ... it does impact the box office potential of the competing Hindi film."
Bollywood producers often avoid clashes with southern films, as loyal audiences of southern films shun Hindi movies to watch their favourite stars on screen. A blockbuster pan-India film form the south could reduce the box office potential of a competing Hindi film by 10-20%, according to trade experts.
"When tentpole films clash, the impact at the box office is far deeper than just opening-day collections," said Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director of Karmic Films. "Screens are shared. Show timings are compromised. In north India alone, a high-stakes clash can mean a Rs. 20-40 crore loss in revenues for each film."
Revenue from digital, satellite and overseas rights will also take a hit, say distributors. They suggest a solo release of a big-budget Hindi or southern film as a practical solution.
"A well-timed solo release can improve legs at the box office, optimize holdover weeks and elevate a film from a Rs. 300 crore hit to a Rs. 500 crore blockbuster," said Wadhwa.
"Clashes are always bad for business," said Rajesh R Nair, the producer of Hindi films such as Kaminey and Adipurush. Southern films are tracking well, especially Kantara: Chapter 1, one of the most awaited sequels, he said. He also expects strong competition to the upcoming Bollywood movies from Rajinikanth's Coolie and the Prabhas-starrer horror-comedy: The Raja Saab.
Some trade analysts believe that the timing of these releases may work in their favour, as these will be released on public holidays when footfalls are usually high in theatres.
"Also, the genres of these competing films are different. These films will be accommodated," said Girish Wankhede, a movie trade analyst. But in the long run, he said "only the content of these films will work".
While the success of Saiyaara was encouraging, theatres also recorded noteworthy contributions from Hollywood films such as Superman, Jurassic World: Rebirth and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Apart from Indian films, Hollywood movies such as Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire And Ash are also scheduled for release in the second half of 2025.
According to media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media, the second half of 2025 is likely to contribute 52% to the all-India box office revenue of Rs. 13,500 crore estimated for 2025.
Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR to shoot War 2 epic dance-off in June after delay due to injury
9:57 AM
After the War 2 dance-off shoot was cancelled in March due to Hrithik Roshan’s injury, sources say the superstar and Jr NTR to film it in June-end
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 27, 2025)
War 2’s teaser gave us a peek into the face-off between Hrithik Roshan’s R&AW agent Kabir Dhaliwal and Jr NTR’s antagonist. As much as the fans loved the teaser, many had a question — ‘How about a glimpse of the two superstars’ dance-off?’ It turns out that the shoot of the much talked about dance-off, which was scheduled for the first week of March (I spy a dance war, March 4), had to be cancelled. Now, mid-day has learnt that director Ayan Mukerji is gearing up to film it in the last week of June.
The track will be filmed at Yash Raj Studio in Andheri, where a massive set will be built in the coming weeks.
A source reveals, “The makers had prepped for about two months and were ready to shoot this song in March. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled after Hrithik injured his leg. With the superstar having recovered from the injury, the actors will begin their prep from the first week of June. Ayan has lined up a 10-day shoot in June-end, after which it will be a wrap on the spy thriller.”
War 2, also starring Kiara Advani, is less than three months away from its August 14 release. The source adds that producer Aditya Chopra, and Ayan want to make the song a visual spectacle.
“The dance set-up is grand. A circular has been sent out to the crew about not carrying phones to the set. A 60-member security personnel has been hired to ensure photos don’t make their way online,” states the source.
India-Pakistan conflict: Sarzameen, Lahore 1947 to drop Pakistan references
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Amid India-Pakistan ceasefire, sources say Kajol’s Sarzameen being redubbed to drop Pak references; Lahore 1947, which revolves around Partition, being reviewed by the makers
Mohar Basu, Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 14, 2025)
Even though a ceasefire is in place between India and Pakistan, the after-effects of the military conflicts can be felt across the board, including in Bollywood. The buzz in the industry is that several high-profile projects are being reviewed or undergoing significant rewrites to remove any references to Pakistan from their scripts.
Among the first to be impacted is Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s political thriller Sarzameen. The team is now reworking key sequences. “The film never explicitly made a reference to Pakistan, but it’s set in Kashmir, and certain scenes were interpreted as politically sensitive in the current climate. They were to release the film on May 30, but now, they are redubbing some parts,” said a source close to the production.
Another movie that must determine how to navigate the situation is Sunny Deol’s Lahore 1947. Sources shared that Rajkumar Santoshi’s directorial venture, centred on a Muslim family relocating to Lahore after Partition, is being internally reviewed.
An insider said, “The film is in sharp contrast with the sentiment of the nation and is being re-looked at. The team needs to decide how to make it work without compromising the story or being insensitive, given the current situation.”
Pathaan (2023) and Tiger 3 (2023), the last two offerings from Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, had prominent characters hailing from Pakistan. For their future films, we have heard that many writers will take a cue from Pathaan, where John Abraham’s antagonist Jim creates his own terrorist network with no links to any country. “The approach is to shift focus to shadowy terror networks and rogue agencies without geographical identifiers,” said a source.
When mid-day reached out to YRF amid rumours that their upcoming films, War 2 and Alpha, are being reviewed in light of recent events, the spokesperson said, “There is no truth to any of these claims floating. Alpha, War 2, and Pathaan 2 have no Pakistan connection. War 2 and Alpha have already been shot and there are no changes being made because there are no changes to be made. Tiger is an Indian spy, Zoya is married to an Indian spy. So, there is no question of the [Tiger] franchise being in any uncertainty.”
Not all movies with a war backdrop are under the scanner, though. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War — starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal — remains untouched. A trade analyst explains, “Bhansali has positioned his story in a timeless, almost mythical space. The film is set between 1960 and 1965, with the wars serving only as the backdrop. The love story takes centre-stage.”
Don’t see, don’t hear?
A day after Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane was removed from Sanam Teri Kasam’s (2016) cover on music apps, Mahira Khan has met the same fate with Raees (2017). The cover of the film’s album on Spotify now features only Shah Rukh Khan. Meanwhile, the music of Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal has been pulled down from Spotify and Apple Music.
Ayan Mukerji shoots patch scenes for War 2 with body double; Hrithik Roshan to join by April-end post injury
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Hrithik Roshan to join War 2 set by April-end post injury, director shoots small patch in Mazgaon Docks
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 13, 2025)
Hiccups are a given when making a big-budget actioner. Just in March, Hrithik Roshan suffered a major injury while shooting a dance sequence with Jr NTR for the Ayan Mukerji-directed War 2. The accident stalled the shoot for over a month. While Roshan is on track for a speedy recovery, the director recently canned a brief patch sequence near Mazgaon Docks with the rest of the cast.
“The patch shoot was carried out with body doubles and junior artistes. Hrithik is still in recovery, undergoing regular movement training and physiotherapy,” reveals an insider. The source adds, “He’s expected to resume filming towards the end of April once he gets a go-ahead from his medical team.”
Mukerji is working closely with the team to restructure the remaining schedule around Roshan’s recovery. “Ayan’s back with a laser focus,” shares the source.
Since the delay in March, Mukerji and his team have used the downtime to lock post-production on the completed portions and fine-tune upcoming sequences.
A source says, “The makers are confident about wrapping the film by May. There’s a tight turnaround ahead, but YRF [Yash Raj Films] is used to managing massive schedules. Hrithik is being monitored closely, and the dance scenes will resume only when he’s 100 per cent fit. The film will be released as scheduled on August 14.”
When Hrithik went above and beyond
In 2012: Before filming Krrish 3 (2013), Hrithik Roshan had a double slipped disc—so much so that filmmaker-father Rakesh Roshan considered dropping the film entirely.
In 2013: Hrithik Roshan suffered a head injury while performing stunts for Bang Bang (2014), which resulted in a subdural haematoma (a blood clot in the brain).
In early 2016: While shooting for Mohenjo Daro (2016), Hrithik Roshan sprained his ankle, tearing two ligaments, during a hand-to-hand combat sequence.
Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR to film dance sequence for War 2 in Andheri studio
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Starting today, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR to film a dance-off choreographed by Bosco Martis for spy thriller War 2; 500 background artistes roped in for the song
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 5, 2025)
Who is a better dancer between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR? The two superstars’ fans don’t have to pick a side just yet. They can give their verdict after seeing the actors shake a leg together in War 2. mid-day has learnt that starting today, director Ayan Mukerji will shoot a dance-off between Roshan and Jr NTR at Yash Raj Studios in Andheri. The sequence is part of the climax of the espionage thriller, which also stars Kiara Advani.
The dance-off’s idea apparently came from producer Aditya Chopra, who knew that pitting the two accomplished dancers against each other would serve as the movie’s biggest highlight. Chopra, along with Mukerji and choreographer Bosco Martis, then conceptualized the set-piece.
A source says, “While Adi was certain that War 2 would be a stylised actioner, he wanted the two superstars to groove together, since they are known for their energy and smooth moves. In the sequence, Hrithik, who reprises his role of R&AW agent Kabir Dhaliwal, makes his way to the hideout of the antagonist, portrayed by Jr NTR. What follows is an electrifying dance battle that segues into the climactic fight set-piece. The two actors have been rehearsing individually for the past 15 days. The makers have deliberately kept them apart so that when they lock horns in front of the camera, it will look natural.”
A grand set has been built by production designer Amrita Mahal Nakai, and Pritam has composed the fast-paced number. Over 500 dancers will be part of the song.
The source adds, “Knowing that the track will arouse curiosity among fans and the media, Adi has beefed up the security at the location. Phones are not allowed on the set, in a bid to ensure that pictures from the shoot don’t get leaked online. Each unit member has been given a badge to avoid a security breach.” After the song is wrapped up by March 10, War 2—which is the latest instalment in the YRF spy universe—will be almost complete.
Comeback of the Khans, War 2, Game Changer and more to look forward in 2025
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After a no-show in 2024, Aamir and Salman Khan will return to the cinemas this year. What else is in store? A woman-led spy thriller, big-ticket south entertainers, and not surprisingly, sequels galore
Mohar Basu, Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 1, 2025)
Would it be too simplistic to say that one of the reasons 2024 was a lean year at the box-office was because the Khan troika—Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman—did not have a single release? Perhaps. But ask any Hindi movie fan, and they’ll tell you that the superstars were sorely missed. Which is why all eyes are on this year, when at least two Khans will be back on the big screen.
Salman hasn’t had a release since Tiger 3 (2023). But a lot happened with the superstar throughout 2024, beginning with a round of firing outside his Bandra house in April to receiving death threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. So, his return to celluloid with Sikandar is eagerly awaited.
What makes it better is that in his maiden collaboration with director A R Murugadoss, he will do what he does best—be a larger-than-life hero and avenge the wrong. Expect high-octane action, drama, a fresh on-screen jodi with Rashmika Mandanna, and a script that requires suspension of disbelief. Oh, and presumably a bumper opening. After all, his fans will go in droves for their Eidi.
While the audience’s Eid is dedicated to Salman, Aamir Khan will be their summer date. It has taken the superstar four years since the underwhelming response to his passion project, Laal Singh Chaddha (2021), to face the camera again. This time, he promises another heartfelt story with Sitaare Zameen Par. The actor-producer considers it a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par (2007). An adaptation of the Spanish sports comedy, Campeones (2018), Aamir said the new film was “way ahead” of its predecessor, flipping the narrative as it shows how far people can go despite their challenges.
Directed by R S Prasanna of Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) fame, it also stars Genelia Deshmukh and Darsheel Safary. Will it create the box-office magic that Laal Singh Chaddha couldn’t? Who can tell? But then, as we start 2025, we can hope this is the year the audience loves movies for their narratives, not box-office numbers.
Game Changer
Director S Shankar may have had a misfire last year with Indian 2. But the director, known for his visual spectacles, blends politics and action again in Game Changer. Ram Charan plays an IAS officer determined to battle corruption and promote fair elections in the Telugu action thriller scheduled for a
January 10 release.
Raid 2
With franchise films becoming a ticket to success in 2024, Ajay Devgn has lined up two sequels this year. Director Raj Kumar Gupta’s Raid 2 is set to release on May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. The film sees Devgn reprise his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik, who conducts another high-stakes income tax raid. The cast includes Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, and Rajat Kapoor. The superstar also has the rom-com, De De Pyaar De 2, in which he reunites with his Shaitaan (2024) co-star R Madhavan.
Housefull 5
A new year, and there is a new instalment of Housefull. Housefull 5, led by Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh, comes five years after the last instalment. Tarun Mansukhani’s directorial venture promises to have everything you expect from the franchise—read an ensemble cast, a gag a minute and a wafer-thin plot. This one, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Jacqueliene Fernandez, and Nargis Fakhri, is largely set on a
luxury cruise.
Chhaava
After Sardar Udham (2021) and Sam Bahadur (2023), Vicky Kaushal leads his third biopic, this time playing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Based on the novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, Laxman Utekar’s historical drama depicts Sambhaji Maharaj as a fierce warrior who upheld the Maratha legacy during his reign in the 17th century. Rashmika Mandanna portrays Yesubai Bhonsale, Sambhaji’s wife.
Yet-untitled film on C Sankaran Nair
You will definitely not miss Akshay Kumar this year, because the superstar has four releases lined up. This Karan Johar production, based on Indian lawyer and statesman C Sankaran Nair, chronicles how the lawyer challenged the British empire to acknowledge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and also starring Ananya Panday, it is an adaptation of the book, The Case that Shook the Empire. Kumar will also be seen in the Republic Day release, Skyforce, and Jolly LLB 3.
Alpha
A female spy is finally headlining a film in the YRF spy universe. Alia Bhatt joins the on-screen espionage world that is populated by Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. Joining Bhatt in Shiv Rawail’s directorial venture is Sharvari, who caught people’s attention with Munjya last year. Alpha is scheduled for a Christmas 2025 release.
War 2
Two of the most popular superstars of the current crop, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR are set to battle it out in the Independence Day release, War 2. Roshan returns as Kabir, the R&AW agent who went rogue in the 2019 blockbuster, War. The sequel to the spy thriller comes with new faces in front of and behind the camera. While RRR (2022) star Jr NTR makes his highly anticipated Bollywood debut, director Ayan Mukerji takes the directorial baton from Siddharth Anand. Added to the mix are Kiara Advani, and a potential crossover with Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger.
Thug Life
In June, we’ll witness the reunion of two icons. More than 35 years after they first collaborated on Nayakan (1987), superstar Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam have reunited for Thug Life. The Tamil gangster action drama features a pan-India cast, including Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Pankaj Tripathi, Sanya Malhotra, Ali Fazal and Rohit Saraf. To top it all, Oscar winner AR Rahman, who composed for Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2, has lent the score for the upcoming film.
Deva
Following his romantic turn in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya last year, Shahid Kapoor is in the mood for mayhem. He turns a no-nonsense cop in the January release, Deva. Expect high-octane action sequences and a rising body count in this action thriller that sees Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews foraying into Hindi cinema.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
It’s the year of Varun Dhawan’s return to the romance genre. In April, the actor will bring Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, also starring Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf. It reunites Varun with his Dulhania franchise director Shashank Khaitan. He will follow it up with Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, marking his fourth collaboration with director-father David Dhawan.
Lahore 1947
Lahore 1947 is a case of something old and something new. While the period drama marks the fourth collaboration between actor Sunny Deol and director Rajkumar Santoshi, it marks the maiden union of the leading man with producer Aamir Khan. Also starring Preity Zinta, the film explores the emotional and physical journey of people caught in the turmoil of the Partition.
Hrithik Roshan to begin shoot for Krrish 4 in summer of 2025
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Sources say after wrapping up War 2 in April, Hrithik Roshan to roll his much-awaited superhero film Krrish 4 in summer with director Karan Malhotra
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 26, 2024)
If there is one question that Hrithik Roshan has asked often in the last few years, it is this: When will Krrish 4 be made? After all, it has been over a decade since Krrish 3 (2013) was released. The good news is that the wait is almost over. mid-day has learned that the superstar, along with producer-father Rakesh Roshan and director Karan Malhotra, is planning to roll the film in summer 2025.
Before that, Hrithik, who is currently shooting the ambitious War 2 with Jr NTR, intends to wrap up the project by April 2025. A source tells us that director Ayan Mukerji has charted out the final schedule. “Ayan has saved some crucial action sequences for the last leg. "
Having taken the directorial baton from Siddharth Anand, Ayan wants to ensure that the action set-pieces surpass those displayed in the 2019 original. "The April schedule will be entirely dedicated to the fights and stunts, after which it will be a wrap on the spy thriller," reveals the source.
Soon after, the actor will shift gears to Krrish 4, reuniting with Malhotra 13 years after Agneepath (2012).
An insider says, “Karan has been fine-tuning the script with Rakesh Roshan for over two years. Hrithik is involved in the creative process. The past two years have shown that spectacle films are a draw at theaters. So, he wants to ensure that his superhero film pushes the envelope. They will take the project on floors in summer 2025, with schedules in Mumbai and parts of Europe.”
Stunt directors who worked on Venom, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Jawan to design War 2 climax
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Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR to shoot War 2 climax, designed by two Hollywood stunt coordinators, in final schedule next month; duo to clash in hangar and villain’s den
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 29, 2024)
For fans of action movies, the climax is the true payoff. Director Ayan Mukerji knows this all too well, which is why he has saved the best for the last in the shoot of War 2. Over the past few months, he has shot several action sequences—from one set inside an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12) to another playing out against a Japanese monastery (The samurai spy, March 19)—with leading man Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist. Now, we’ve learnt that from mid-December, the two actors will film the climax in Mumbai over a 15-day schedule.
Where is the clash of the titans taking place? We’re told it starts against the backdrop of a hangar, which then moves on to the villain’s hideout.
A source reveals, “From the second week of December, Jr NTR and Hrithik will shoot the final face-off at Film City in Goregaon and YRF Studios in Andheri. A massive set representing Jr NTR’s hideout is being built at Film City, while the stint at YRF Studios will include more of close-up and VFX-heavy shots. The late Rajat Poddar had designed most sets; only the backdrop for the climax was remaining. Producer Aditya Chopra, along with Ayan, is looking into the design and execution of the set as well as the action involved.”
It is already known that the producer-director duo roped in 11 stunt coordinators, including Steve Brown of Wonder Woman (2017) fame, Miguel Juzgado, who worked in Warrior Nun (2020), and Franz Spilhaus, for the espionage thriller. For this set-piece, they have zeroed in on three action directors.
The source elaborates, “Adi sir selected American stunt coordinator Spiro Razatos, who previously worked on Venom [2018] and The Fate Of The Furious [2017], and Se-yeong Oh of Avengers: Age Of Ultron [2015] and Snowpiercer [2013] fame. From home turf, he has brought Sunil Rodrigues on board, after being impressed by his work in Jawan [2023] and Pathaan [2023]. The three have banded together to design a stylized fight sequence that includes fierce hand-to-hand combat. The December leg will be the final schedule of War 2’s talkie portions.”
There’s more, of course, when accomplished dancers like Roshan and Jr NTR are involved. The makers are lining up a dance-off between the duo.
The insider adds, “Adi and Ayan are working with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant on a dance-off. For January, the team has also lined up the shoot of a song featuring Hrithik and leading lady Kiara Advani.”
Jr NTR to shoot massive action sequence for War 2 that sees him take on gang of 40
8:48 AM
Sources say Jr NTR to shoot massive action sequence for War 2 that sees him take on gang of 40
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 22, 2024)
When it comes to War 2, the audiences can expect action and then some more. In April, mid-day reported that leading man Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist, shot a face-off sequence set inside an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12). Now, one hears that the Telugu star is set to film a major action set-piece, starting today. Insiders suggest that it will be one of the key moments in the spy thriller that will establish Jr NTR’s villain as a formidable force.
The elaborate sequence for Ayan Mukerji’s directorial venture will be shot at Yash Raj Studios in Andheri.
A source tells us, “Ayan wanted Jr NTR’s solo scene to be designed in a way that it highlights the character’s raw power. With that brief, the action choreographer envisioned a fight that sees him take on a gang of 40. The team started shooting early at the set inside the studio, and will be shooting here for the next three days.”
Apparently, Roshan will join the unit later this week as Mukerji will can another action sequence featuring the two stars.
The sequel to the blockbuster War (2019) stars Kiara Advani as the leading lady. Last month, the actor and Roshan wrapped up an Italy schedule where they filmed some romantic numbers (Say sì to Italy, Sep 10).
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