The Telangana government has rejected the ticket hike requests for Rajinikanth's Coolie and Hrithik Roshan-NTR's War 2, both set to release on August 14, 2025. Despite the producers' efforts to secure a price increase, the government remained unconvinced, citing concerns over audience backlash. This decision comes after widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the need for ticket hikes, especially for dubbed films.
The distributors of Coolie and War 2 had reportedly applied for a significant ticket price hike of ₹75 in single screens and multiplexes in Telangana. However, the government's decision to reject the hike request has been welcomed by fans, who were concerned about the added financial burden. Coolie's pre-release business in Telugu states stands at ₹50 crore, while War 2 has garnered ₹70 crore.
With the ticket prices remaining unchanged, fans can expect to pay between ₹180 to ₹200 for Coolie in multiplexes in Chennai, while in Hyderabad, the prices range from ₹300 to ₹450 for the dubbed version. The decision not to hike ticket prices could benefit both films if word-of-mouth is positive, allowing them to recover their business amounts within the first week itself.
The box office clash between Coolie and War 2 is expected to be intense, with both films having a strong fan base. While Coolie boasts Rajinikanth's massive following, War 2 has generated significant buzz with its star-studded cast, including Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.