Hrithik Roshan and NTR's action-packed spy thriller War 2 has defied expectations, raking in an impressive Rs 52.50 crore net on its opening day in India. Despite advance booking trends suggesting a modest start, the film's strong performance was driven by its Telugu dubbed version, which amassed Rs 23.25 crore, largely thanks to NTR's massive fan base. The Hindi version contributed Rs 29 crore, while the Tamil version added a modest Rs 25 lakh. Industry estimates suggest the film's total India gross for Day 1 could exceed Rs 75 crore, with global collections ranging between Rs 100 - 110 crore.
War 2's opening day collection, although impressive, falls short of expectations when compared to other YRF Spy Universe films. The original War (2019) starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, minted Rs 53 crore on its opening day, with Rs 51 crore coming from the Hindi version. Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan occupies the top spot with a collection of Rs 57 crore. The film's average reviews might have impacted its box office numbers.
Interestingly, War 2's Telugu occupancy beat its Hindi counterparts, with 74.68% footfall in morning shows and 84.88% in night shows. In contrast, Hindi footfall registered 16.37% in morning shows and 29.03% in evening shows. This strong regional performance helped War 2 cross the Rs 50 crore mark on opening day.
As War 2 marks NTR's Hindi debut, fans from the South thronged theaters in large numbers. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 is part of YRF's spy thriller universe and features Kiara Advani in a key role. With the Independence Day holiday boost, industry analysts expect War 2 to sustain its momentum and potentially cross the Rs 200 crore mark in its extended opening weekend.